Inside a Lido Shores Home’s Radical Revamp

1 of 12

It’s no surprise that this 15,000-square-foot marvel is situated in Lido Shores, or that the designer behind the project was Anne Folsom Smith. For one, the neighborhood has deep ties to the architectural beginnings of Sarasota—more specifically, it is comprised of a colony of waterfront homes that were first developed in the 1940s by the esteemed architects who created the style of regional modernism known as the Sarasota School of Architecture. As for Smith, she is a longtime Sarasota resident who has been heralded for her work in town and beyond for more than 40 years and also happens to be married to Frank Folsom Smith, one of those venerated architects of Sarasota School renown.

When Smith established her interior design studio in Sarasota in 1983, the Gulf Coast town was, as the designer puts it, “a mecca for Midwesterners who wintered here.” Over the four decades that she has operated her firm, the area has evolved, and so has the designer. “I started out with a design style that leaned more traditional with a sense of coastal sophistication to match my surroundings,” she says, “but I’ve certainly grown to embrace a more modern approach, too.”

Therefore, when called on to orchestrate a contemporary revamp of this sprawling home, which houses five bedrooms, five bathrooms, and two half-bathrooms, as well as a separate one- bedroom, one-bathroom guest cottage, she was eager to take the helm. The homeowners, whose primary residence is in the Northeast, were smitten with the property upon their first visit. “They were enamored with the expansive view of the New Pass Inlet, which affords deep water access for boating,” says Smith. At the same time, the home is positioned to offer total privacy, and the lush foliage makes the backyard feel more tranquil and remote.

Originally, the structure was a Mediterranean-style house with an overwhelming number of arches. “We were asked to transform it into a contemporary family vacation home conducive to indoor-outdoor living, which involved incorporating contemporary architectural details and materials,” says the designer. “In fact, the renovations were so extensive that the first level floor had to be raised to meet the current floodplain requirements.”

Working alongside interior architect Ty Thacker of TOA Group (a longtime collaborator), Smith’s team, led by senior designer Fabiola Softas, opened up the kitchen, family room, and formal living room, allowing for a natural flow between the spaces. In keeping with a wholly contemporary feel, the home adheres to a color palette of neutral yet warm shades, including grays, blues, and beiges. David W. Sutton Woodworking handled the replacement of the millwork in the house, opting for moldings and ceiling designs that align with the overall aesthetic. A variety of textures were incorporated—mostly in the form of light woods, mixed metals, and patterned decorative pillows and upholstery—to enhance the subdued tones, adding depth and a sense of coziness throughout the house.

To promote an environment conducive to gatherings with family and friends, Smith focused on softening the linear features throughout the home. She also chose curved back club chairs upholstered in a deep sapphire hue to make an impact in the otherwise achromatic setting.

Beyond the living room—and past the illuminated bar area, which was custom designed to create a visual separation—is the kitchen, which is anchored by an oversized quartz and granite island that comfortably seats 12 people at counter height. For the family, it is a true hub for entertaining, along with the second-floor game room and state-of-the-art movie theater.

“With our talented team and the local artisans and craftsmen we hired, we were able to go beyond the basics to conjure a transformative result,” says Smith. “This residence truly reflects the personality of its owners as it sets itself apart from the norm.”

Story Credits:

Interior Design by Anne Folsom Smith & Fabiola Softas, Anne Folsom Smith Interior Design, Sarasota, FL

Interior Architecture by TOA Group, Sarasota, FL

Exterior Architecture by Robert Rokop, Sarasota, FL  

Builder Frieler Construction, Sarasota, FL

Landscape Architecture by Michael Gilkey, Sarasota, FL

Text by Mallory Jacobson

Photography by Ryan Gamma, Sarasota, FL

Open to see Interior Design Sources: