A home filled with art, sunshine, and change: selling our house in Sarasota

We are selling our beloved Sarasota home of five years, and as I reflect on our time here as snowbirds, I feel a mix of nostalgia and gratitude. We bought the house just before the pandemic hit, closing on January 31, 2020. Little did we know how much our lives—and the world—would change in the months that followed.

This was the first home I had ever set up from scratch. In every other move, I had brought furniture and belongings from previous homes, but this time, we had a blank canvas. It was an exciting opportunity to create our own version of paradise, a space infused with comfort and creativity. It also became the perfect showcase for my homeware designs with Anthropologie. Over time, we filled the house with carefully chosen furniture, colorful rugs, candles, chairs, and cushions—some that I had designed, others that we discovered on treasure hunts through Sarasota’s many thrift shops. The walls are covered with original paintings, mostly by me but also a few of my father’s paintings, adding a deeply personal and artistic touch to our space.

 

David and I had so much fun furnishing our home. We scoured local shops for the perfect pieces, some of which we refinished and painted ourselves. We found secondhand bicycles and even a two-person kayak, which we stored in the spacious shed we added to our backyard. We splurged on a Samsung Frame TV, which lets me display my artwork as though it were hanging on a gallery wall. And I spent countless hours in the garden, learning about Florida’s unique growing season and filling our yard with lush tropical plants. The sunshine, the climate, the proximity to stunning beaches, bike paths, and public fitness facilities—every detail of our life here felt vibrant and fulfilling.

Tulip enjoying the master bedroom under my new original painting The Dreamy Dreams.

Then, just a few months after settling in, the world changed. When the pandemic hit, we planned to stay put until things calmed down, stocking up on groceries and enjoying fresh produce from our garden. But by mid-March, the Canadian government urged its citizens to return home. So, despite our well-stocked pantry, we packed up the van, grabbed a mattress, and drove for three days straight—stopping only to rest at crowded highway rest stops—until we finally arrived back in Canada.

For two years, the U.S.-Canada border remained closed. When we were finally allowed to return to Sarasota, our home had held up beautifully, thanks in part to the wonderful renters who had cared for it in our absence. It was such a joy to be back. We eventually resumed our snowbird lifestyle, making the long drive down with our dogs, Tulip and Iris. That was when I decided to transform our backyard into the tropical oasis I had always envisioned, planting palm trees, hibiscus, and bougainvillea—my very own Garden of Eden.

I will miss tending to this beautiful, tropical garden. 

This home has been a place of growth and inspiration for me. I’ve spent time in my painting studio (our converted two-car garage) creating art at my own pace. I’ve taken classes at the Sarasota Art Museum, which is just a walk away. We’ve enjoyed the rich cultural scene—art, theater, music—all while being surrounded by nature and tranquility. Even practical comforts, like having a hospital nearby (thankfully, never needed!), have made life here easy and stress-free.

Leaving Sarasota is bittersweet. This home, this city, has been a haven for us. But it’s time for new adventures, and we are ready to pass this beautiful place on to its next owners.

For me, Sarasota will always be the gem of Florida—pristine white-sand beaches, breathtaking natural preserves, incredible restaurants, and a thriving arts scene. If you’ve ever dreamed of making Sarasota your home, or if you’re already here and thinking about a change, here’s the link to our listing.

I hope whoever moves in next will love it as much as we have!