Bay Magazine April 2024

HOMES ISSUE

LIVING IN LUXURY

CLOSE TO HOME

Welcome to Bay’s homes issue. We asked Realtors, decorators, builders and designers to share their knowledge of what’s hot in Tampa Bay’s housing market and what they think we’ll be buying for our homes in the near future. We’re likely to see more modern, minimalistic houses popping up throughout the state, as well as, no surprise, spaces for outdoor living. Condominium builders are competing for buyers with amenities ranging from concierge services to rooftop bars.

Glass sculptures have also become a popular way to accessorize homes, thanks to many talented local artists and patrons with an appreciation of color and charm.

We’ll introduce you to a creative group of local high school students who spent their weekends this past year participating in a fashion design program at the Dalí Museum.

In June, we’re sharing some of Florida’s historical wedding venues. Don’t forget, you can place your own wedding story or family milestone news in Bay in a personal announcement. Email us at celebrations@tampabay.com for details.

Contact Kathy Saunders at ksaunders@tampabay. com.

INSIDE

HOMES ISSUE

10 MOD SQUAD What’s with all those boxy, modern homes popping up all over the Tampa Bay area?

16 PROFILE Interior designer Franco Pasquale takes his design cues from fashion, his Italian heritage and his years growing up in New York City.

22 HOME TRENDS We asked local developers and decorators to identify the trends that homeowners desire in 2024.

30 FAMILY MATTERS

Brother-sister duo Chris and Holly Klaus refurbish outdated furniture to create statement pieces for modern homes.

34 GLASS HOUSE Glass sculptures have become a popular staple in home décor.

40 TRAVEL

St. Petersburg ranked No. 2, just behind Napa, California, among trending destinations for travelers in the United States.

44 A HERO RISES

“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” in theaters May 10, will feature Tampa native Owen Teague.

48 DALÍ FASHION

Student designs inspired by Dalí paintings were on display at a fashion show Feb. 24. The show was the culmination of the semester-long Fashion Design at the Dalí program held by the Dalí Museum and the Pinellas County Center for the Arts.

50 SOCIAL SCENE

TR EA TI NG EV ER Y GA ME LI KE HI S FI RS T.

GI ANNI S ANT ET OK OU NM PO WE ARS TH E NA VIT IM ER.

EDITOR

Kathy Saunders

ksaunders@tampabay.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Nikki Life

nlife@tampabay.com

COPY EDITOR Erin Feitsma

FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER Brian James, brian@brianjamesgallery.com

Bay is published eight times a year by Times Publishing Co. and delivered to Tampa Bay Times subscribers in select neighborhoods in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties.

Copyright 2024. Vol. 17, No. 3

Chairman & CEO Conan Gallaty

Vice President of Sales & Marketing Bruce Faulmann

Marketing Director Kerry O’Reilly

National/Major Senior Advertising Manager Kelly Spamer

Pinellas Advertising Manager Jennifer Bonin

Automotive & Real Estate Advertising Manager Larry West

North Suncoast & Hillsborough Advertising Manager Jessica Petroski

Operations Manager, Prepress & Digital Production Gerald Gifford

Imaging & Production Brian Baracani, Danielle Lazaro, Gary Zolg

Regional Home Delivery Managers Diann Bates, Rob Jennings

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HOMES

mod squad

This newly built home at 96 Martinique Ave. in Tampa’s Davis Islands, priced at $21 million, has six bedrooms and eight bathrooms with views of the bay, Bayshore Boulevard and the Tampa

skyline. Listed by Jennifer Zales of Coldwell Banker Realty.

BY SUSAN TAYLOR MARTIN • PHOTOS BY TONY SICA

or decades, Florida’s residential landscape has been dominated by Mediterranean Revivals, cozy bungalows and mid-century ranch homes. Now a new style is firmly taking hold. Call them Miami Modern, California contemporary or, as some critics put it, “those big boxy places.’’ They are popping up from Davis Islands to South Tampa and Snell Isle to the Pinellas beaches. They typically have flat roofs, huge windows and stark white, no-frills exteriors. They are definitely big, and their prices can easily top $10 million.

Priced at $11.9 million, this home at 1721 Brightwaters Blvd. NE in St. Petersburg’s Snell Isle neighborhood has 7,087 square feet and open views of Tampa Bay. Listed by Jennifer Zales of Coldwell Banker Realty.

This home at 730 Alda Way NE in St. Petersburg’s Snell Isle neighborhood, priced at $4.75 million, has a two-story entryway and a floating staircase. Listed by Jennifer Zales of Coldwell Banker Realty.

A decade ago, modern homes made up only a small percentage of Tampa Bay’s ultra-luxurious housing stock. “Now it’s likely closer to half,’’ said Jennifer Zales, a Coldwell Banker Realty real estate agent who specializes in high-end properties. Among her listings: a 10,474-square-foot modern house in Tampa’s Beach Park that sold for $12.35 million, the third-highest sale price last year.

Interior designer Michelle Miller attributes the growing demand for these minimalist-looking homes to the area’s many newcomers. “The market is definitely going more contemporary than traditional,’’ she said. “It has to do with a lot of people coming from California and New York, or up from Miami and Naples, and what they’re looking to build, (which) the contemporary style lends itself to: floor-to-ceiling windows, open floor plans, accentuating the water views and making the view the statement.”

The epicenter of ultra-luxe homes in the bay area is Davis Islands, where baseball star Derek Jeter’s house sold in 2021 for $22.5 million – Tampa Bay’s record sales price – and was knocked down to make way for another mega mansion. The demand for modern-style homes on Davis Islands is so great that the Miami-based architectural firm Choeff Levy Fischman opened a Tampa office to handle the six local projects it currently has in the works.

“There is a style of modern architecture that is not very common, and not very many specialists do it, and that is our style,’’ said Paul Fischman, a principal in the firm. “The core way is using the local climate to design the building. It’s not just some ugly white box that’s not considerate of the existing environment.’’

The firm, which has designed homes in

Miami for rapper Lil Wayne and baseball player Alex Rodriguez, uses deep overhangs and insulated glass that “keep good lighting in and solar heat and glare out,’’ Fischman said. The interior infrastructure is controlled by technology, with window shades on timers to adjust to the slant of the sun’s rays.

Strikingly, the firm’s homes are cantilevered so there are no unsightly columns to block spectacular views. “They all look like they’re floating on the water, but they are the most structurally robust,’’ Fischman said. One Tampa inspector commented that he hadn't seen so much steel in a project since he inspected the World Trade Center.

Fischman thinks that what happened in

Miami 12 to 15 years ago with modern homes is now occurring in Tampa and elsewhere on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

“You put one with this level of sophistication in a neighborhood and it creates a little sizzle in the area,’’ he said. Soon, others will want the same type of home.

Miller, whose St. Petersburg firm has done interior design work for professional athletes and other wealthy clients, sees heightened interest in California contemporary homes, too.

“This style calls for organic, warmer materials – many wood tones,’’ she said. “The goal is to make the most of nature and views.’’

So, what do you get in a modern home that costs $10 million or more?

FROM THE COVER: This home at 1721 Brightwaters Blvd. NE in St. Petersburg’s Snell Isle neighborhood is among the new, modern homes being developed throughout Tampa Bay. Listed by Jennifer Zales of Coldwell Banker Realty.

The floors might be white oak, which can be stained to a variety of shades, or "large-format" but relatively lightweight porcelain tiles that can also be integrated into wall designs. There might be wood panels with “very clean, straight-line edges,’’ Miller said. Stairs might be floating, lighting recessed and

blinds automated.

Many ultra-luxe modern houses have two kitchens – one for show and another for actual cooking that boasts every modern appliance, including built-in coffee machines, steam ovens and induction ranges. Instead of a

formal living room, there is likely a “flex room’’ that can serve as a den, office, wine room or whatever else the buyer wants. “Often, when you put a title on a room, people think, ‘I don’t need that,’ so flex rooms are very popular,’’ Miller said. So are massage rooms and infrared saunas. “I’ve had so many requests for those over the past year,’’ she said. “With modern architecture, (buyers) want the finer things in life, but they are also very health-conscious."

One request that Miller sometimes struggles to accommodate is finding room for a client’s prized art: “Often those homes are mostly windows, and (clients) have too much artwork and very little wall space.’’

Fortunately for them, many of the rich also have other, more traditional homes. That’s where they can keep that Picasso or Pollock.

The house on 730 Alda Way NE has an elevator and a saltwater pool with a waterfall (above) as well as a sleek, European-inspired chef’s kitchen (below) with custom cabinetry and top-of-the-line appliances. Listed by Jennifer Zales of Coldwell Banker Realty.

You’ll lead a full life at Altura Bayshore. Twenty-three stories

coveted South Tampa. Views that are quite an eyeful. Amenities for unending playful times And a location that’s

PROFILE: FRANCO PASQUALE

SUPERIOR INTERIORS

I take a lot of my cues from fashion. As a designer, you can see how quickly fashions translate into design.

Portrait of Franco Pasquale. Photos courtesy of Franco A. Pasquale Design Associates.

Franco Pasquale learned to appreciate design at a young age, traveling the world with his parents and visiting historic homes and palaces. His mother, Lucia, worked as an executive assistant in the Rome, Italy, office of Life magazine, and his father, Antonio, was an Italian cabinetmaker. When his mother transferred to the magazine’s New York City office, the family emigrated to the United States. While his parents were busy building a new life in America, Pasquale said they sent him back to Italy often. There, he was continuously inspired by historical architecture. He moved to Florida in the early 1990s and launched his own interior design firm in Tampa in 1994. Channeling the castles he toured in his youth, Pasquale, 59, now designs multimillion-dollar homes along the west coast of Florida. He shared the trends he has observed in the past 30 years and predictions on what our homes will look like in the future. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. – Kathy Saunders

Modern dining room design in a Tampa home.

After deciding to pursue your design career, where did you do your formal studies? Being raised in New York was a major benefit to me, allowing me to become familiar with luxury goods and designs. I studied at the Pratt Institute in New York City and later at the Domus Academy in Milan, Italy, specializing in lighting and industrial design. I also took professional courses at the Harvard Graduate School of Design in Cambridge, mostly related to expanding my abilities and (focusing) on residential interior design and interior architecture.

How did you end up in Tampa? When I graduated in 1990, the design market was dead, so I took a part-time job with an airline and that brought me to Tampa. I worked in design for a few people prior to that, and I decided it was time to branch out on my own. I had a client who purchased three

houses, and I ended up doing all three back to back, so it was a good launch. I opened Franco A. Pasquale Design Associates in 1994. Ten years ago, we renovated an old cigar factory in Tampa and moved the firm to our current location (3024 N. Habana Ave.).

How would you describe your design style? I’m a classically trained interior designer with a focus on the fine arts. When I went to design school, we were learning figurative drawing, space and ceramics, not just technical drawing. They molded us to be artists and to be technically trained. Interior design has changed so much since then. We were just starting to get into computergenerated design in 1991, and that was even prior to 3D design, which is currently what we are doing. Back then, everything was hand-drawn, and you had to be meticulous with every detail. Designs still must be precise, but the

computer allows for more flexibility and speed. I think style comes and goes, just like fashion. I take a lot of my cues from fashion. As a designer, you can see how quickly fashions translate into design.

Tell us about your own home. I live in a Spanish Mediterranean-style home in Tampa with a courtyard and a flat roof. It definitely has a Spanish vibe to it. My home has always been a mix of different styles and materials. I love antiques and mid-century modern. I like that clean approach, the simplicity of the lines and that kind of style.

How would you describe the current design trends? When I started, Tampa was still very traditional. Up in New York, I was doing more modern design with cleaner lines and fewer patterns. There were a few people (who) had moved here from New York and

Entranceway of a home in Tampa.

California, and they wanted that design. I could bring that, so that gave me a niche in the local market. The modern look included more maple woods and neutral tones, and I think they are kind of back again. Warm colors are starting to come back. (We) are seeing more browns in design and fabrics, and blue

is the new black. I think gray, hopefully, is gone for a while. It’s a little like hairstyles - they are the same as they were, only not as severe with as much hair spray. Patterns are back. So is wallpaper, including grass cloth. Floor-to-ceiling drapes are also popular and a good way to soften up harsh lines.

What do you think we’ll be seeing in the near future in design? What I see looking down the road is that people, hopefully, are going to start thinking a little bit more about making their homes more sustainable. They are focusing more on quality materials. I think it’s important when you are building a home to (invest in) hurricane-proof windows, solid architecture and proper insulation. My clients want to age in their homes as well. They are looking to simplify designs with fewer curves and more user-friendly plumbing fixtures so they can transition (into their spaces) and remain comfortable as they get older.

Have design firms changed since you began in the industry? The answer is yes. These days, I am collaborating more with others in and outside of my firm, which has seven members now, including an architect and interior and exterior designers. And if I have a project, I may call two other designers and work together depending on the clients’ needs. I am hoping to create more of a collaborative space in my own office, sharing space and my design ideas. There are a lot of designers out in the market who need more help.

What kind of jobs do you handle these days? I (have) one home that is $30 million for the build-out alone, and the interior furnishings are over $2 million. That home is in Boca Grande. The average design budget for one of my clients usually starts at about $150,000. I don’t do smaller jobs anymore, but even somebody on a budget can still make good design choices that are functional, aesthetically pleasing and fashion-forward. It may not be practical to buy the bright pink sofa that you fall in love with at the furniture studio, but you could always buy the pink pillows instead.

The family room of a home in Trinity.

BY KATHY SAUNDERS

Florida residents have some unique challenges and impressive landscapes for defining and decorating their homes. We asked local builders and decorators, as well as sellers of flooring, window treatments and closet systems, which

designs are trending among their customers these days.

lorida developers say modern lines, natural tones, textured walls and flex spaces are must-haves. New homebuyers in Taylor Morrison communities are looking for warmer tones like beige and cream, as opposed to the grays of the past, according to Douglas Miller, president of the company’s Tampa division. “While white cabinets are still popular, more buyers are pairing them with a warmer-toned countertop,” he said. The same goes for black finishes. "Homebuyers are now opting more for gold plumbing and light fixtures.”

Mark Russell, of Russell & Russell Construction in Palm Harbor, is completing a four-unit, $12 million development on Siesta Key. He said the homes have minimalistic features, large-format tiles and polished concrete floors.

“A trend going forward these days is that the baseboards and casings in the homes are flush with the drywall so it looks very modern,” he said. Glass stair rails, walls trimmed in wood or with textures like waves or water droplets are highly desirable, as are smart-home systems (lights, sound, blinds) controlled remotely.

Homes in Taylor Morrison’s Esplanade communities are pre-plumbed for outdoor kitchens. Luxury community-wide amenities, including lap pools, dog parks and gyms, as well as on-site massage therapists, are standard.

No need to feel stuck inside on a rainy day if you have Aura Illuminated Shades. The Hunter Douglas shades have built-in lighting that can make an

FLOORING WINDOWS

With all the popularity of large tiles and luxury vinyl flooring, are high-end homebuyers still in the market for carpet? Yes, said Kelly Beale of The Carpet Store in St. Petersburg. And, she said, browns are back. Think 1970s oranges, rust tones and deep blue teals without so much shag.

“Buyers really want richer, deeper, earthier colors,” she said. But, since not everyone is ready to abandon gray yet, buyers are moving toward a blend of brown and gray - taupe. Plush carpet is still a favorite.

Recently, Beale said, more customers, especially younger ones, have been buying multicolored carpet.

Designer Trina Turk recently

overcast day look like a bright afternoon. The automated window coverings can go from dim to bright light and make a room look softer or cooler, said Peter Haggar, who has owned the Blind & Shutter Gallery in St. Petersburg (bsgstpete. com) for the past 23 years.

While the Aura shades are the bougie new option in window coverings, Haggar also sells a variety of roller window shades that block out ultraviolet rays, blacken windows for sleeping and protect furniture and artwork from too much sunlight.

They come in a variety of colors,

materials and thicknesses, designed especially to filter any harsh glare in Florida’s waterfront homes or condominiums with sweeping views. Haggar also offers shutters, including traditional plantation shutters, which he said, “never go out of style.”

That goes for drapes, too. They are making a bit of a comeback, he said. In his Fourth Street studio, about half of the customers in the past month were there to see his drapery designer, Susan Dean. She believes the renewed interest in curtains stems from the trend toward minimalism in newer homes.

launched rugs by FLOR in the signature style of her 1960s and '70s childhood. Her rugs are brightly colored with geometric shapes and names like California Dreaming.

Customers who want hardwood flooring are leaning more toward light, airy colors, said Beale. And tile, she said, “never goes out of style in Florida.” Ceramic tile resembling hardwood is preferable. The same goes for luxury vinyl plank floors. The engineered material is perfect for Florida because it can withstand high humidity and moisture. It’s also easy to maintain, said Beale.

Learn more at fortheflooronline.com.

The Blind & Shutter Gallery in St. Petersburg carries a wide variety of Hunter Douglas shades. Photo courtesy of Hunter Douglas.

Fashion designer Trina Turk has a new line of rugs reflecting the vibes of the 1960s and '70s. Photo courtesy of FLOR area rugs.

CONDO PERKS

In the luxury condominium sales market, it’s all about amenities. Yes, buyers want modern designs, water views from floor-to-ceiling windows, chef’s kitchens and spa-like bathrooms. But developers are more often promoting perks.

Buyers who spend from approximately $800,000 to $2 million to live in the soon-to-be-completed Reflection tower near St. Petersburg’s Mirror Lake (reflectionstpete.com) will have access to a building concierge who can shuttle them to and from downtown businesses on the weekends. “We built that into the homeowners association fees,” said developer Nick Hansen of HP Capital Group, who expects units to be move-in ready this summer.

tower (the first phase, being completed this month, is sold out) of The Ritz-Carlton Residences along Bayshore Boulevard (theresidencestampa.com).

Residents of the condominiums, which range in price from $1.5 to $6.6 million, will have access to the hotel’s concierge, full-service spa, 24-hour valet and on-premises security.

Both projects offer swimming pools, gyms and pet areas - all things owners expect from modern urban condo life. Reflection developers have positioned many of those amenities on the roof of their 18-story building. The first level of the development’s 88 residences is on the seventh floor. Those units also have individual terraces and balconies.

Hansen’s team focused on the views from inside and atop the building, which he said is 68% glass. “In some of our units, they have windows over the sinks in their kitchens,” he said.

At the 30-story Ritz-Carlton Residences Tampa Tower II, the pool will be located on the fifth floor, but the rooftop will feature an oversized terrace and a bar.

“Living in a luxury condo rather than a luxury home, owners can take advantage of all the wellness amenities and activities built into their building without the need to leave their walls,” said Alana Zeilander of the Antenna public relations firm. The tower residences were designed to give owners “the opportunity to essentially live

STORAGE

Because most Florida homes don’t have basements, finding storage space is crucial. Barbara Searcy has innovative solutions. As owner and vice president of Southern Closet Systems in Odessa (southerncloset.com), Searcy designs creative ways for clients to optimize their spaces. Southern Closet Systems was even featured on recent episodes of HGTV's "Rock the Block" show, where teams compete to finish townhomes in Treasure Island.

“We do a lot of custom built-ins for storage spaces in all rooms of the house,” she said. “But in Florida, that requires using a lot of garage space.”

She designs built-in workbenches with tool storage, waterproof cabinets, overhead storage and custom shelving with hooks and racks to help homeowners preserve their garage floor space for their cars.

Clients nowadays also want the floor itself to look good. While designing storage, Searcy can also arrange for custom coating of garage floors in various textures and colors.

Indoors, “the trick we use is to go vertical with storage,” she said. Kitchen pantries and bedroom closets can be outfitted with shelves that go from floor to ceiling, adding much-needed space for seasonal items. “We also do a lot of dining rooms with built-in hutches that can function

as additional pantry space as well,” she said.

Another challenge is downsizing. “A lot of people moving to Florida are retiring and downsizing at the same time,” said Searcy.

Big, bulky furniture is also on its way out, she said. Properly designed bedroom closets can eliminate the need for dressers and armoires. Her individually designed closets can include shoe racks, lighted mirrors, open and closed shelving, jewelry boxes, tie and belt racks and drawers with everything from laundry baskets to pull-out ironing boards.

Searcy and her team also specialize in home offices. “We can turn even a small reach-in closet into an office,” she said. And no need to give up guest rooms. Searcy regularly installs office systems with pull-down Murphy beds in sizes from twin to king.

Above: High-end closets can include dressing tables, jewelry boxes and mini-fridges.

Below: No need for bulky bedroom dressers with a fully designed closet system for clothes, shoes and accessories.

Photos courtesy of Southern Closet Systems.

STAGING

While staging a home is an added expense, Realtors and designers say that in the long run, it can save a seller money.

“Staged homes sell a vision of how a buyer could use the space, and those buyers then tend to find the home more appealing and see themselves making an offer,” said St. Petersburg Realtor Denise Nightingale. She recently hired Stephanie Acevedo of Casa Ria Interior Design and Home Staging to ready an $800,000 house in St. Petersburg. The stager took inspiration from the home’s wooden beams to create a mid-century modern theme.

Acevedo has been designing interiors for clients in Tampa and St. Petersburg for years. “It doesn’t matter what the house looks

like - people don’t envision themselves in the house if it’s just a white, sterile space,” said Acevedo. Her signature is to decorate with lots of color.

Growing up in a Columbian family in South Florida, Acevedo said she likes “culturally and globally inspired colors," including earth tones, terra cotta and greens and blues. “There is so much history that has helped shape our lifestyles, (tastes) for music and perceptions that I express in my interior design and home staging,” she said.

St. Petersburg Realtor John Erik Savitsky, with Engel & Völkers, said staging is one way “to help buyers who have difficulty visualizing an empty space understand what the space can become with furniture,” as long as it’s done thoughtfully. “I first encourage clients to remove their unique personality from the home. They may feel at peace in a fun, jungle-themed bedroom or in a study surrounded by their prized collection of antique porcelain clowns, but successful sales often mean mitigating what made the home personal to the sellers for many years.”

Removing family photos or painting a neutral color “over a vibrant vermilion-colored dining room” can go a long way toward spotlighting the home’s inherent personality instead of the seller’s, he said.

Savitsky pointed to one client he coached on “depersonalizing” her

waterfront home before putting it on the market. He advised her to remove heavy, dark and dated furniture and window treatments. “This waterfront home could have been anywhere in Middle America, the way it effectively turned its back to the water,” he said. “Afterwards, buyers routinely commented on how spectacular the view was from the main living area, and we sold the home quickly.”

Acevedo and Nightingale said they always advise homeowners to remove family photos and repaint any brightly colored rooms. “Once a buyer has one negative thing in their mind - it doesn’t matter what you put in that house, they won’t be able to blank it out,” Acevedo said.

Some Realtors pay for the staging, while others charge their clients. Generally, Acevedo charges between $2,500 and $3,000 for a 30-day rental of staging for a full house, which includes the kitchen, dining room, living room and two bedrooms. “I like to mix in pieces,” she said. “That makes it look a bit more like a real home rather than a staged home.”

Acevedo offers a variety of staging options on her website at casariadesign.com.

Home stager Stephanie Acevedo (right) mixed modern, mid-century and minimalist styles to prepare this home to hit the market (below). Photo courtesy of Casa Ria Interior Design and Home Staging.

TAMPA BAY’ S #1 SELLING REAL ESTATE AGENT IN 2023

Dania has sold more than $60M in Luxury and Waterfront Homes from Jan-March 2024

Bayway Isles

– St. Petersburg

Resplendent and majestic, with built-to-last concrete construction, this astonishing 13,632-total-sq.ft., 5-bedroom, 5½-bath luxur y estate delivers sweeping panoramic views of the Intracoastal Waterway Wide 198 ft of sea wall. Beautifully updated, meticulously maintained. Easy Tampa Bay commuting Offered for $6,595,000.

Bayou Grande

– St. Petersburg

Avila – Tampa

Extensively updated and upgraded in the last three years, this remarkable 5-bedroom, 5-bath, 9,970-total-sq.ft. coastal water front estate boasts a brilliant custom floor plan and dazzling contemporar y finishes throughout! Towering ceilings, 1,175-sq.ft. covered entertainment deck and sweeping open water views. Offered for $4,700,000.

Rising beyond the stately trees and verdant grounds of a private 1+-acre setting, rests this majestic 6-bedroom, 6.2-bath, 13,432-total-sq.ft. manor Astounding architectural elements, ar tisan- quality craftmanship and impor ted world- class materials grace this brilliant floor plan. Built on a grand scale with uncompromising luxur y! Offered for $5,950,000.

Belle Isle

– Belleair Beach

A stunning coastal modern master work with commercialgrade concrete/steel construction! Mammoth 20 ft.+ high great room with towering floor-to- ceiling windows

Three lavish bedroom suites, 4 luxury baths, 5,579 sq.ft. of inspiring living area Spectacular 1,920-sq.ft rooftop sundeck with incredible 360- degree water views! Beautiful pool/spa, boat lift/new dock. Offered for $4,500,000.

TAMPA BAY’ S PREMIER LUXURY AND WATERFRONT REALTOR

Waterfront

– Treasure Island

Enjoy the best of boating and the beach from this 4-bedroom, 4-bath, 6,643-total-sq.ft. modern coastal design. All block construction, elegant contemporar y finishes, gorgeous kitchen/baths, luxury pool/spa, 20,000-lb boat lift Cruise to the Gulf, walk in seconds to the beach. No rental restrictions, strong rental histor y. Offered for $4,595,000.

Snell Isle

– St. Petersburg

Located directly on the renowned Vinoy Golf Course, this elegant 4-bedroom, 4,912-total-sq.ft. residence enjoys gorgeous fair way views Lavish kitchen, dedicated wine room, lovely open spaces and superior woodwork ing and finishes. Wonder ful pool and spa. Offered for $2,295,000.

Dania has sold more than $1.75 Billion in Luxury and Waterfront Homes throughout the Tampa Bay Region.

Bella Marguerite

– St. Pete Beach

Arguably the finest luxur y penthouse available on the boating waters of Tampa Bay. One trip through this astounding place and you will see that its beauty is not expressed simply as a list of luxur y touches, but as a dazzling array of remark able floor-to- ceiling finishes work ing in concer t across 4,316 sq.ft. of sensational living area. Offered for $2,995,000.

Saltaire – Downtown St. Petersburg

Brand new and never occupied, this 3-bedroom, 3-bath, 19th-floor luxur y residence delivers dazzling views of the downtown water front Exquisitely finished throughout, with outstanding world- class amenities! Superb five-star dining and fabulous enter tainment within easy walk ing distance. Offered for $1,995,000.

BY KATHY SAUNDERS

rowing up in a military family, Holly Klaus moved a lot. Each time, her mother, Andrea Santmyer, would sift through garage sales and thrift shops to find items to furnish the family’s newest homes.

“Back then, we would use cans of spray paint or even latex paint to transform our finds into something unique and beautiful. I loved it,” said Klaus. “My mom taught me to see potential in old furniture as a child. (Throughout) the years, I continued the practice of saving old pieces rather than buying new (ones) as I decorated my own homes.”

Klaus, 42, sold her first piece of refinished furniture on Craigslist in 2009. “I was hooked,” she said. While she knew that she wanted to open her own furniture shop, it took her a few years to leave her career as an event planner in Virginia and find the right place to open a business.

Like many Florida transplants, Klaus wanted to live in a warm climate and enjoy a slower-paced lifestyle.

“When I was looking for the perfect Florida town, I fell in love with St. Pete and the arts community here,” she said. At first, she refinished furniture in the garage of her St. Petersburg home. Then, two years ago, she found space in the Warehouse Arts District near downtown and opened Blend Furniture Studio. Her brother, Chris Klaus, 44, traveled from Merritt Island on the weekends to help her build out the shop. A mechanic by trade, Chris Klaus loves machinery and taught himself how to do woodworking. Six months ago, he moved his family of five to St. Petersburg to join his sister in the studio full time.

Chris and Holly Klaus are the brother-sister duo refreshing old furniture at Blend Furniture Studio. Photos courtesy of Holly Klaus.

Every day, Holly Klaus scours social media sites, estate sales, online auctions and thrift stores for pieces to refurbish and resell.

“I love the Salvation Army because they get high-quality pieces,” she said. Once she gets the items to her shop, she and her brother plan the designs. They decide whether to repaint items, build a base for them or change their hardware.

Chris Klaus handles the repairs and any building projects.

“Then it comes down to me in the spray booth. I handle all the finishings,” said Holly Klaus. “I handle the resurfacing, and then I prime, paint and put on a topcoat.”

A couple days a week, her niece, Scarlett Klaus, does the final touches, like freshening up the insides of drawers with a salve. Then she does final inspections on the pieces.

“It’s truly a family business,” said Holly Klaus.

She sells all the pieces on her Facebook page (Blend Furniture Studio) and on her website, blendfurniturestudio.com. At any given time, the Klauses are at work on about 10 different pieces, with each taking about two weeks to complete.

Nightstands, dressers, credenzas, buffets and entry tables are the most popular items, making up about 75% of the business's stock. The nightstands, generally the smallest items, start at $699 a pair. Prices go up to $1,600 for large dressers or credenzas.

Rare or unique pieces or items that have special embellishments, such as caning on credenzas, may fetch a higher price.

“I really love the huge pieces,” said Holly Klaus. “If a piece is 72 inches or bigger, I get excited. They are statement pieces, and they always end up being so impactful.”

She also likes to use color in her designs.

“Green is super popular still, with a lot of people loving emerald and deeper green tones,” she said. “Black, cream and medium-tone wood is super

popular as well. Neutrals and navy blue are classics and always in style.”

Customers can sign up for emails from Blend Furniture Studio on the studio's website. Holly Klaus also said she is happy to look for specific pieces.

“This has been a longtime dream and I’m so grateful I can pursue my passion for design, transforming things and making vintage furniture beautiful again,” she said.

Top: A former bedroom dresser was refurbished to become a sideboard for any room in the house. Bottom: Refinishers at Blend Furniture Studio repurposed a dining room china cabinet into a modern statement piece.

Phase one of AQUA presents just 77 luxury condominium residences featuring direct elevator access inside the private, gated Westshore Yacht Club. The members-only pleasures of The Bay Club, two restaurants, spa and pools, create Tampa Bay’s most enviable new waterfront address.

GLASS HOUSE

BY SUSAN TAYLOR MARTIN • PHOTOS BY BRIAN JAMES

When they started collecting art 32 years ago, Lisa and Perry Everett were initially drawn to what they call “2D work.’’ Then they met master glass artist Duncan McClellan, and a whole new world of collecting was opened to them. “Glass was really moving into the mainstream of art, and it was a different way to decorate,’’ Perry Everett said. “We and many of our friends were buying our first houses, and we wanted surroundings that were different from what we saw working with interior designers.’’

St. Petersburg glass master Duncan McClellan made the blue bowl, “Alchemy,’’ and globally known artist Dale Chihuly made the larger piece, “Brunswick Green Macchia with Ruby Red Lip.’’

The Everetts bought a piece from McClellan, then another, and eventually began collecting work by glass artists from all over the world. Displayed throughout their St. Petersburg home, the pieces fascinate with their ability “to literally change depending on the angle of display and the ambient light,’’ Perry Everett said.

The art of glassmaking goes back thousands of years. However, its modern-day appeal as a medium for decorating is largely due to the influence of Dale Chihuly, internationally known for his large, organically shaped pieces and his collaboration with other artists.

“If I had to credit one person for popularizing glass art, it would be Chihuly,’’ said McClellan, who moved

his studio to St. Petersburg in 2009, a year before the Chihuly Museum (now the Chihuly Collection) opened in the city.

Since then, the St. Petersburg area has become a mecca of glass art, with stunning works available at McClellan’s gallery, the Imagine Museum, the Morean Arts Center and the Syd Entel Galleries in Safety Harbor. Independent glass studios are also springing up throughout the Tampa Bay area.

Why decorate with glass? “Florida is the perfect environment for taking advantage of all the properties of glass, (with) the way it reflects light (and) transmits light onto the ground,’’ McClellan said. “It appeals to people who are 3 or 90, whether because of its form, its color or its content. A piece

can look very different depending on the time of day.”

The key to successful collecting, McClellan said, is falling in love with a piece, then learning about the artist and the process used to make it. At his gallery, pieces can range from a few hundred dollars for works by emerging artists to tens of thousands of dollars for complex pieces that might have taken months to create. While prices might seem high, the cost of materials and equipment and the time involved mean that “glass artists are the most underpaid artists,’’ he said.

The cats that wander freely around McClellan’s gallery help allay buyers’ concerns that a bump from a vacuum cleaner or a rambunctious kid could topple a $5,000 piece. As in his gallery, glass art at home can be securely attached to a pedestal or other surface with dental or museum wax.

For lighting, McClellan suggests using either back lighting or a spotlight of LED lights with a very small beam. But for him, “sunlight is the most beautiful lighting,’’ he said.

The Everetts love their glass art so much that their most recent home renovations were done with their collection in mind. Perry Everett came up with an LED lighting system that is affixed to shelves that can hold up to 80 pounds of artwork. The couple also got rid of all their conventional furnishings and instead bought "vanilla" furniture to put more focus on their glass art.

Victor and Sharon Gardner became interested in glass art about a decade ago when the Everetts, their neighbors at the time, brought over a book on the subject. Now the Gardners are in a condo that spotlights their own impressive collection, with some pieces

Sharon and Victor Gardner began collecting about a decade ago after a neighbor loaned them a glass art book.

displayed on pedestals, others in nooks and still others on glass-topped tables. They favor contemporary designs, and Victor Gardner is partial to blue.

The Gardners have been tempted to buy more glass art but have restrained themselves for fear of making their condo look like a glass warehouse.

“We know a number of the artists personally and they’ll say, ‘I have a perfect piece and it will go right there,’” Victor Gardner said. “We could get rid of some of what we already have, but we like what we already have!”

LOCAL GLASS ART

Duncan McClellan Gallery, 2342 Emerson Ave. S., St. Petersburg dmglass.com

Imagine Museum, 1901 Central Ave., St. Petersburg imaginemuseum.com

Morean Arts Center, 719 Central Ave., St. Petersburg moreanartscenter.org

Syd Entel Galleries, 247 Main St., Safety Harbor sydentelgalleries.com

A chandelier made in Murano, Italy.

Lino Tagliapietra made this piece, called “Fenice.’’

Artist Duncan McClellan recommends LED lighting to illuminate glass art.

TRAVELS WITH CC CINDY COCKBURN

Destination relaxation

Congrats, Tampa Bay. The awards keep rolling in. Tripadvisor named St. Petersburg the No. 2 top trending destination for travelers in the United States, just behind Napa, California.

MISSING WINTER?

Head to the Alps, where Rupert Longsdon, CEO of Oxford Ski Company, organizes luxury ski vacations in Europe that include a personal ski butler. These qualified ski instructors spend all day on the slopes with you, strategizing the best place for lunch to the most desirable slopes, high-altitude museums, viewing platforms and sky-high bars. Sign me up!

EMBRACE RELAXATION

The top travel trends for 2024 call for more relaxation. Embrace the culture and simple beauty of South Carolina’s Lowcountry at the five-star Montage Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton. The resort’s Well Living programs inspire guests to focus on a life well lived, including healing the mind, body and soul. How about a full moon kayak tour under the stars?

KENTUCKY DERBY TIME

Join the fun in Louisville for the 150th renewal of the “greatest two minutes in sports” on May 4. This year, the Kentucky Derby purse has been elevated to $5 million. Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith will join Sports

Illustrated magazine at the Derby as the publication celebrates the official opening of Club SI. Patti Reeves used to live in Tampa and loves the event (her horse, Mucho Macho Man, finished third in 2011). She recommends dining at Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse and sleeping at the Omni Louisville Hotel, where you can mingle with the horse owners, enjoy the rooftop pool and relax at the Mokara Spa.

MUSIC CELEBRATIONS

Summers sizzle in Newport, Rhode Island, also known as the sailing capital of the world and the home of opulent

mansions from the Gilded Age. The 65th annual Newport Folk Festival is July 26-28. Plan to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Newport Jazz Festival Aug. 2-4. The luxurious waterfront Castle Hill Inn, built in 1875, is a prestigious Relais & Châteaux property. Overlook Narragansett Bay, watch the sailboats and dream of the ultimate bucket-list trip for sailors: the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup taking place in Barcelona between August and October. In town, sample the best lobsters and clam chowder at the award-winning Clarke Cooke House and The Black Pearl restaurants on Bannister’s Wharf.

The Montage Palmetto Bluff is located in South Carolina's Lowcountry. Photo courtesy of Montage Palmetto Bluff.

Horses make the first turn in the 149th Kentucky Derby races on May 6, 2023. Photo by Julio Cortez, AP Photo.

GETTING INTO CHARACTER

Tampa native Owen Teague is starring in "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes," in theaters May 10.

Photos courtesy of 20th Century Studios.

BY NICK STEELE

Actor and Tampa native Owen Teague, 25, takes on his most challenging role yet, starring as Noa in 20th Century Studios' "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes," in theaters May 10.

By age 4, after acting out scenes from "The Lion King" at home, Teague announced to his parents that he wanted to be in a movie. Luckily, they supported his aspiration and placed him on the path.

“I started doing community theater when I was 4 or 5 at the Masque Community Theatre in Temple Terrace,” he explained.

Another transformative moment came at age 6, when his parents took him to see "King Kong," starring Andy Serkis.

“Andy played Kong with so much empathy, pathos and humanity, and he

did it without ever saying a word. I remember being devastated when they killed Kong,” he recalled. “My mom explained it was a person in a suit playing him. It showed me you could play an animal and give them the same kind of power as a human character.”

In addition to acting, Teague has explored a variety of creative outlets, including classical violin, writing, drawing, woodworking and photography. Among his social media posts is a portrait he took of a chimpanzee at the Los Angeles Zoo when he relocated to LA in 2015 and was feeling somewhat overwhelmed.

“I’ve always loved being behind the camera as well as being in front,” he shared. “I'd stand there for hours just taking pictures and watching them.”

While in Australia filming "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes," he photographed another chimpanzee at the Taronga Zoo.

“In a portrait, especially if it's not posed, there's sort of a distilled truth to what's happening in the eyes,” he offered. “Photography captures a moment that will never exist ever again.”

For Teague, who has consistently drawn critical acclaim for his ability to portray emotionally complex, often troubled, characters in such projects as "Bloodline," "IT" and "The Stand," this role was something of a departure.

“Noa's naivety and inexperience are very different from some of my other characters. He doesn't know what he's capable of. He's dealing with a lot of doubt. He’s also very creative. He's always tinkering with things and building things, like I was as a kid. I was quiet and shy. It was easier to just exist in my head and build stuff with my hands. After that realization, it became, 'Oh, I feel like I have my way in now.'”

Teague faced other challenges as well. Aside from his acting, movement and

From left, Noa (played by Owen Teague) and Dar (played by Sara Wiseman) in a scene from "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes."

voice work, Teague had to master the technical aspects of the performance capture process, in which an actor performs in a skintight suit with special markers, allowing cameras to capture his body movements and facial expressions.

“When we made the movie, I was so far from home and sort of entering this new phase of my life and my career where I was leading a giant studio film. It was like, 'Oh my God, I'm so out of my depth. I have no idea how to do this.'”

That’s when he and Serkis spoke, and the veteran actor advised him to just focus on playing the character and let the rest fall away.

Teague said he believes the film will resonate with audiences because it

parallels current societal issues.

“It’s a really smart story to be telling right now,” he said. “It feels like a comment and a response to how humans use religion, religious texts and symbols to advance their own agendas, whether or not that's what the original intent was. Noa is learning about all these different, conflicting sides of what Caesar's legacy is, and he's got to kind of make sense of it. I don't know if it's a classic hero's journey, but he goes through so much pain yet still maintains this kind of wonder at the world.”

As to what Teague hopes children might take from the film, he said, “I hope they have the same kind of reaction I did to watching 'Kong.' I hope it inspires that same kind of feeling in the kids who go to see this film.”

While filming in Australia, Owen Teague photographed this chimpanzee at the Taronga Zoo. Photo courtesy of Owen Teague.

The theme for this year’s program was “Eleg-ants: Designs from Dalí’s Animal Kingdom.” Each design drew something from an animal featured in a Dalí painting, including “The Ram,” 1928; “The Sheep,” 1942; a lobster from “The Lobster Telephone,” 1936-38; and an octopus from “The Ecumenical Council,” 1960.

The students were accepted into the 14-week partnership program in August 2023 and spent nearly every weekend designing, sewing and fitting their creations. Some of the designs will remain on public display at Florida CraftArt.

According to the Dalí’s website, the program, now entering its eighth year, was established for “artistically inclined high school students from the Tampa Bay area to learn the fundamentals of design, construction and runway presentation from experienced artists and designers. Through nontraditional

materials, students are invited to think creatively to produce wearable works of art that translate from sketch to runway." This year’s class of designers included students from 14 different schools in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Manatee counties.

The students met at Gibbs on Sunday afternoons, where they had access to a full costume workshop. Museum patrons donated clothing and supplies that students recycled for their designs, and the museum provided vouchers for the participants to shop for clothing and other materials at the Goodwill store near the high school.

Gibbs sophomore Rainna Rodgers Spaights said she used a combination of donated fabric swatches, old clothing and lace ripped from a shirt she found at Goodwill to create her version of Dalí’s “Geopoliticus Child Watching the Birth of the New Man” from 1943. Her goal was to replicate a

chicken and an egg.

“My piece mimics the shape of an egg in the skirt and (uses) yellow fabric to represent egg yolk. The headpiece represents the uterus (above the) egg, located at the top of the painting. The lace on the corset was meant to add a youthful look to match the innocence of a chicken,” said Rodgers Spaights in her description of her work. At the evening fashion show at the Dalí, she said she hopes to study fashion in college and prefers designers “who do things that are out of the ordinary.”

Like Rodgers Spaights, most of the students in the program hope to pursue design after high school. “But, a lot of them will make it a hobby or a cool skill to have in their lives,” said Sumaya Ayad, the Dalí Museum's school programs manager.

Artist’s Rendering of Penthouse B

Artist’s Rendering

Artist’s Rendering of Cloud 9 Pool Deck

SOCIAL

The Chiselers, Inc. Market Minaret Mixer

Shop for a treasure while saving a treasure — that’s the fun and fruitful formula for the Chiselers Market Minaret Mixer. The preview cocktail party held on the eve of the Chiselers Market is the largest annual fundraiser dedicated to safeguarding the magnificent Plant Hall, formerly the 1891 Tampa Bay Hotel, located at the University of Tampa. The passionate preservationists welcomed nearly 400 guests for hors d’oeuvres, a bourbon tasting and a silent auction on March 8, plus early access to the vast selection of gently used and donated furniture, silver, china, home and garden accessories, art, books, jewelry and designer clothing. The bargains cost “twice the price” at the mixer for the perk of avoiding huge crowds at the next day’s Chiselers Market. The women’s group takes its name from the tools they first used to scrape paint from hotel tiles. Since then, they have raised over $11 million to match historic preservation grants to pay for restoration work, including the iconic minarets. Text and photos by Amy Scherzer.

Jack and Carolyn McMullen.

From left, Beth Garcia, Mary Scourtes Greacen and Jane Hernandez.

From left, Rolando and Cathy Sanchez and Rudy and Meg Fernandez.

From left, Cindy Tigert, Debbie Giglio and Elizabeth Christenberry.

SOCIAL Glazer Children’s Museum Imagination Factory

The grown-ups played nicely and generously at the Glazer Children’s Museum’s Imagination Factory gala, where 450 guests doodled on a giant coloring wall, munched flavored popcorn dispensed from a human vending machine and painted chocolate truffles served on tiny palettes. Museum CEO Sarah Cole set a gigantic goal at the Feb. 23 benefit at Armature Works: to fund free admission for 7,000 Title I schoolchildren this year, noting that one out of every four children visits the museum for free or at reduced admission. Auction bids soared in reply, including $10,000 for a sleepover party with Big John, the largest triceratops ever uncovered. The DeLeon Band kept dancers going until they finally had to head home to pay their babysitters. Text and photos by Amy Scherzer.

From left, Sidd Pagidipati and Shanna and Bryan Glazer.  Sidd Pagidipati and Sarah Cole.

Jean Koz and Lyn Sky.

From left, Matt Cole, Justin Batton, Kate Roth and Annie Cole.

From left, Clint Deibert, Dr. Rashmi Roy and Coley and Matt Simmons. Francis and Jesica D’Avanza.

The Pointe on Boca Ciega at Marina Bay

Waterfront pent house condom in iums

With only three units per building – each commanding an entire floor – The Pointe Condominiums ensure the ultimate luxury – privacy The penthouse-style, 4 bedroom, 4.5 bathroom residence offers over 3,800 sq. ft. of living space, and nearly 1,000 sq ft of wrap-around terrace overlooking breathtaking panoramic views of Boca Ciega Bay and the Skyway Bridge Featuring dual master baths, a whole-building gas generator, and a private, oversized 2-car garage for each unit.

Discover Marina Bay in St. Petersburg, a hidden gem tucked away on Boca Ciega Bay, where 60 acres of lush tropical landscaping, lakes with dramatic water features and abundant wildlife blend to form this vibrant community Just six minutes to downtown St Petersburg and St. Pete Beach, the new Villas, Estate Homes and Pointe Condominiums on Boca Ciega redefine both luxury and resilience by building to FORTIFIEDTM - Gold standards. Visit Marina Bay, next to Eckerd College, to tour our new models.

SOCIAL

Queen’s Court, Inc.

65th annual Queen of Hearts Ball

Continuing the noble tradition of honoring St. Petersburg women devoted to community service, Queen of Hearts Ball co-chairs Nancy Westphal and Beth Timberlake royally hosted a black-tie gala to celebrate Queen Joy Rudnicki and six princesses at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront. Former WTVT-Ch. 13 news anchor Cynthia Smoot emceed the Feb. 17 dinner that raised funds for two deserving Pinellas County charities, Wheelchairs 4 Kids and the Inspire Equine Assisted Center. The 250 guests closed the elegant salute to volunteerism to the music of the TomKats Jazz Orchestra.

Text by Amy Scherzer. Photos by Moorman Photographics.

Steve & Nancy Westphal.

The 2024 Queen of Hearts royal court, from left: Janet Black, Brynne Johnson, Elise Elsberry, Queen Joy Rudnicki, Megan Michalski, Alvina "Mae" Nelson and Katherine Ruetz.

From left, Violetta Livshen, Sandra Yang, Rebecca Malowany, Joy Rudnicki, Kristin Connell, Mardi Bessolo and Mary Ann Will.

From left, Randy and Sparky Ierna and Walter and Joyce Larson.

SOCIAL

The Studio@620 The Studio Honors

The Studio@620’s annual fundraiser, honoring individuals in the community whose ideals and efforts support arts, diversity and equality, was held Feb. 9-10. A Friday night cocktail party and a Saturday night dinner celebrated this year’s honorees: Eugenie Bondurant and Paul Wilborn, Sheila and Matt Cowley, Mozell Davis, Roxanne Fay, René Flowers, Jason Harvin, Hank and Laura Hine, Virginia Johnson, Barbara St. Clair and Jim Sorensen. The celebration was particularly special this year as the studio celebrates its 20th anniversary. Founder Bob Devin Jones is poised to retire on June 20, with local actor and director Erica Sutherlin stepping in as artistic executive director. Another milestone was achieved in February with management purchasing the studio’s building at 620 First Ave. S. in St. Petersburg. Text and photos by Maggie Duffy.

Virginia Johnson and Bob Devin Jones.

From left, Dr. Hank Hine, Bob Devin Jones and Laura Hine.

Paul Wilborn and Eugenie Bondurant.

Barbara St. Clair and Bob Devin Jones. Mozell Davis and Bob Devin Jones.

Bob Devin Jones and René Flowers.

Bob Devin Jones and Jason Harvin.

We’re bringing back the idea of the family doctor, and creating physician-patient relationships that are authentic and personal. As a member, you’ll benefit from our premium services while receiving care uniquely tailored to your medical needs.

SOCIAL Opera Tampa

Carnevale Grand Gala

Stellar talent from the cast of “Hansel and Gretel” plus performances by the Opera Tampa Chorus made a memorable Carnevale Grand Gala at the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts March 2. Opera enthusiasts were greeted with cocktails and photo-ops on the Ferguson Hall set, then were shepherded onto the adjacent Morsani Hall stage for a formal dinner of prawns and filet mignon. Opera Tampa artistic director Robin Stamper saluted the 250 guests, especially those splendidly masked and costumed at the benefit. Auction standouts included a Berlin trip that sold 11 times for $5,500 apiece and a $5,000 bourbon tasting hosted by Opera Tampa League board chair Fraser Himes. Desserts and dancing to the Electric Xperience ended the evening on a lively beat. Text and photos by Amy Scherzer.

Diane and Rob Klinger.

From left, Karen Roberts and Charlie and Cookie Simmons.

From left, Stephen Spencer, Roxanne Connor, Diane Rottensteiner and Fraser Himes.

Clay Bryant and Doreen Zammit.

Michael Trentalange and Lisa Kelley.

“The onion rings were outstanding and almost stole the show. The roast beef was tender, juicy and per fectly medium rare. Bye A***’s, we found the place that ac tually has the meats.”

SOCIAL Academy Prep Center of St. Petersburg Evening of Dreams

Academy Prep Center of St. Petersburg’s Evening of Dreams was an inspiring event at The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art in St. Petersburg Feb. 10. The fundraiser benefited the school’s student scholarship program. Among the attendees were staff and faculty, former students with heartening success stories and people who volunteer for the school. One such volunteer, Sally Stovall Willis, was honored with the Jeffrey L. Fortune Dream Maker Award. Willis started volunteering at the school in 2015, with a specific request to work with eighth-grade boys. She joined the board of trustees in 2016 and is head of the academic committee. The event was emceed by Mark Wilson, news anchor at WTVT-Ch. 13.

Text and photos by Maggie Duffy.

From left, Adrian Harris, Nadege Desir, Naila Desir, Da’Shaun Holmes and Tansheka Riggins.

Mary and Tom James.

From left, Elizabeth Skidmore, Sally Stovall Willis and Dr. Kanika Tomalin.

Adrian Harris and Gina Burkett.