Sarasota Vacation Home is Swathed in Coastal Color

1 of 11

An extensive house-hunting search quickly escalated into a sale when Atlanta couple Gail and Tom Flanigan set foot in Sarasota’s Oyster Bay Estates. Dubbed “West of Trail”—referring to its location west of Tamiami Trail—the historic community boasts elegant homes and cherished locales amid a backdrop of coastal scenery. Drawn to the area’s privacy and lush greenery, the couple was delighted to discover its mix of old and new construction and its population of long-term residents and newcomers.

“On this new life adventure we wanted to be in an established neighborhood close to shops and restaurants,” says Gail. “Having lived in Atlanta for over 30 years, we were immediately attracted to Sarasota’s natural beauty and beaches. We love that we can get almost anywhere in 15 minutes, and that everyone we’ve met has been so warm and welcoming.”

After checking out various sites, the couple settled on a 5,188-square-foot house that was already being built by Allegra Homes and designed by Trade Mark Interiors. Intended as a vacation getaway, the model afforded them efficient yet comfortable spaces for extended family and the couple’s two grown children, who love to visit frequently. Forgoing a formal dining room and living room, the open floor plan includes public spaces and two primary bedrooms on the main level. With two additional bedrooms, bathrooms, and a bonus TV room on the second level, privacy is plentiful and there are multiple quiet areas for relaxing.

“Our color story was based on coastal jewel tones, which we decided to amp up for this family home,” says Tracee Murphy, CEO and principal designer at Trade Mark Interiors, who collaborated with her senior designer, Casey Liptak, on the project. “As we targeted a complex and dynamic color palette that would speak to the coastal allure of Sarasota, we focused on a dramatic use of teal hues for impact. The overall design style induces feelings of warmth, intimacy, and comfort, with the spa-like tranquility of watery environments.”

Through their design process, the TMI team identified areas to enhance with detailing, including the fireplace area’s tile and wallcovering, the wall trim in the main living space, a dining room serving niche enhanced with high-density grass cloth, and the staircase’s luxurious mural wallcovering. For Gail’s study, they created a captivating space wrapped in deep teal and custom cabinetry to emanate a warm, soothing vibe.

“Our clients have a beautiful art collection close to their hearts,” says Liptak. “We aimed to have our color story blend harmoniously with their artwork. The home presented itself as a blank slate, allowing us to enhance every aspect through wallcoverings, paint, built-ins, and furnishings, all to bring functionality and beauty into every space.”

Since the Flanigans are avid collectors and supporters of many local artists, their new residence features two of Gail’s most treasured pieces by one of her favorite Atlanta artists, Gail Wegodsky. “Tracee and Casey knew how important these pieces were to me,” notes Gail, “so they helped me incorporate them in a way that felt like either a natural extension of the room or the central focus—like the painting over the fireplace in the living room.”

Strategizing every square inch for optimal use, the design team incorporated cozy living room furnishings for reading and entertaining within proximity of the kitchen and dining areas to create cohesiveness. A large kitchen closet transformed into a drop zone with added cabinets for storage, and comfortable seating flows seamlessly from indoors to alfresco spaces for large holiday celebrations or intimate gatherings. Swivel chairs throughout—a TMI must-have—facilitate closeness and conversation.                         

“Tracee and Casey are skilled experts in their craft,” notes Tom. “Their creativity is unmatched, and their greatest attribute is listening deeply to reflect the client’s desire. Simply put, they made a long process easy and were a joy to work with.”

Story Credits:

Interior Design by Tracee Murphy & Casey Liptak, Trade Mark Interiors, Sarasota, FL

Builder Allegra Homes, Sarasota, FL

Text by Jeanne Delathouder

Photography by Amy Lamb, Nativehouse Photography, Nashville, TN

Open to see Interior Design Sources: