Pristine waters, good fishing, lazy days, and quiet nights—Anna Maria Island checks off all the boxes as a retreat. All those attributes enticed a couple from Lakeland to purchase a premier waterfront lot in the area and build a vacation home there. Poised on Sarasota Bay, the property nestles into a quiet street in Holmes Beach, touting views of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge to the left and the Manatee Avenue Bridge to the right. Aspiring to create a traditional, timeless, and unforgettable house they could pass down for generations, the homeowners sought out the area’s reputable husband-and-wife building team, Greg and Lee Ross, owners of Ross Built Custom Homes.
“This home sits on a unique slice of property, so we first contacted Don Cooper, a Tampa architect known for his classic, timeless designs,” says Lee. “We introduced him to the homeowners, and their connection was solid from the very first meeting they had.”
The couple envisioned a relaxed yet elegant retreat built with their growing family and grandchildren in mind. Collaborating with Cooper, they designed a lavish, 4,000-square-foot home that nods to the Dutch Colonial style of the British West Indies. Its flexible floor plan—comprising four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a bunk room hideaway for the kids, and an elaborate tackle room for the fisherman of the house—features a plethora of indoor/outdoor gathering spaces and private spots where family and guests can escape to watch the sunset or put the kids down for a nap. Ultimately, the home strikes a perfect balance of social spaces mixed with cozy little niches for peace and quiet.
“Early on, we landed on a color theme that drove all the finishes in the home,” says Lee. “The regal blue heron, a prevalent bird on the island, inspired the design palette and the home’s name. Magically, at the project’s grand finale, a blue heron landed on the roof during our photo shoot.”
Custom exterior details generate an inviting warmth with quaint gas lanterns, a rich mahogany entrance door, prominent bracket hardware, a shingled roof mimicking slate, and perfectly appointed shutters that make the home feel like it’s been here for a century or more. Upon entering the foyer, one is awestruck by a custom-louvered archway showcasing prime views of Sarasota Bay. “The architect designed the most elegant arched entryways that frame the water views and welcome you into the living spaces,” says Greg. “A low coffered ceiling throughout the living and dining area creates some dimension without taking your eyes off the view.”
Once they finalized the design intentions and materials, the homeowners called on Lakeland interior designer Blake Scarbrough to finesse the furnishings, fabrics, window treatments, and finishing touches, including commissioned works—a blue heron mural among them—by local Florida artists. “This is the fourth project I’ve done with these clients, and we have been friends for many years,” says Scarbrough. “They wanted an updated traditional look and a predominantly blue color palette reinforcing the exterior hues of the shutters and millwork. For balance, every room in the house is painted a wonderful shade of white that was developed by the builders themselves. It’s the most perfect hue of white I have ever used.”
On the main level, an expansive covered deck creates an alfresco extension of the living spaces, along with a stunner pool patio that gets rave reviews. “The backyard of this home literally stops boat traffic,” says Greg. “The tiered yard is elegant and reminiscent of a well-appointed resort. The sweeping views of Sarasota Bay are great day and night, and the Sunshine Skyway is always a treat for visitors.”
Especially during spring and summer, the owners love to fish and entertain, hosting their family members and grandchildren on most weekends. “They use and adore this house,” notes Scarbrough, “and they hope to make many happy memories here.”
Story Credits:
Interior Design by Blake Scarbrough, WBS interiors, Lakeland, FL
Architecture by Don Cooper, Cooper Johnson Smith Peterson Architects, Tampa, FL
Builder Greg Ross, Ross Built Custom Homes, Bradenton, FL
Text by Jeanne de Lathouder
Photography by Ryan Gamma, Sarasota, FL
Open to see Interior Design Sources:
Sources
Living Room
Sofa and chairs – Wesley Hall Furniture
Cocktail table – British Traditions Furniture, High Point, NC
Sofa back table – Kenian Fine Rattan Furniture
Blue drum table – Kevin Song Imports
Chandelier – Visual Comfort
Area rug – Addison/Dicus & Bailey, Tampa, FL
Breakfast Area
Table – Worlds Away
Chairs – Furniture Classics
Lounge and ottoman – Wesley Hall Furniture
Cocktail table – Kenian Fine Rattan Furniture
Area rug – Fiberworks, Addison/Dicus & Bailey, Tampa, FL
Dining Room
Table – Furniture Classics
Chairs – Jeffan
Chandelier – Visual Comfort
Terrace
Chairs and cocktail table– Palecek
Dining table – Jonathan Bucklew, Lakeland, FL
Primary Bathroom
Cabinetry – Ross Built Custom Homes, Bradenton, FL
Chandelier and sconce – Visual Comfort
Primary Bedroom
Bed and headboard – Mary Anderson, Lakeland, FL
Fabric – Stout Textiles
Bedside chests – Phillips Scott
Lamps – Kevin Song Imports
Wicker stools – Kenian Fine Rattan Furniture
Club chairs and ottoman – Wesley Hall Furniture
Pool Patio
Pool – Ross Built Custom Homes, Bradenton, FL
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