What Makes a Home - and Sarasota - Special
What Buyers Appreciate Most
The “Boring” Home Features You’ll Love - and Buyers Will, Too
Most buyers begin their search focused on the big things: bedrooms, an updated kitchen, outdoor space, or a beautiful view. But after moving in, it is often the quieter, more practical details they appreciate most.
Good storage, a well-designed pantry, and a functional laundry room can make everyday life noticeably easier. In Florida, a screened lanai or shaded patio with ceiling fans and lighting can also become a true extension of the living space.
Natural light, efficient windows, quality insulation, and a reliable HVAC system may not create excitement during a showing, but they add comfort and efficiency. Impact-resistant windows, a newer roof, and generator capability provide added peace of mind.
A flexible floor plan matters, too. A first-floor bedroom, fewer steps, or a multipurpose room can help a home adapt to visiting family and changing needs.
Beautiful finishes may make the first impression, but thoughtful design is what makes a home enjoyable to live in over time. After all, a home is not just a place to admire. It is a place to live.
Out and About in Sarasota
100 Years of Living Modern in Sarasota
Sarasota is celebrating 100 years of an architectural legacy that continues to shape the way we live today.
During the Sarasota School of Architecture’s defining years, roughly 1941 to 1966, architects designed around sunlight, shade, Gulf breezes, and the natural landscape. Open floor plans, expansive glass, shaded terraces, and deep overhangs created buildings perfectly suited to Florida living.
Ralph Twitchell, Paul Rudolph, Victor Lundy, Jack West, and Tim Seibert helped shape the movement. Among its most recognizable landmarks are Rudolph’s Umbrella House in Lido Shores, an icon of indoor-outdoor living, and Lundy’s Blue Pagoda, known for its dramatic form and brilliant blue roof.
These buildings are part of what makes Sarasota feel distinctly like Sarasota - light, inventive, and connected to its surroundings. Their influence remains visible in many of the features buyers value in homes today.
Explore the architects, landmarks, and ideas behind the movement during Architecture Sarasota’s MOD Weekend, November 13–15, 2026, featuring tours, programs, and special events.
New Home for The Breakfast House
One of downtown Sarasota’s most beloved breakfast spots is preparing for a new chapter.
The Breakfast House plans to move about a mile east from its familiar Fruitville Road bungalow to a one-acre property at the corner of Fruitville Road and North Briggs Avenue. Renovations are already underway, including an expanded kitchen and the restaurant’s signature sunny yellow exterior.
The larger vision is to create Sarasota Bungalow Village - a welcoming destination where several locally owned businesses could gather around a shared courtyard and playground. Plans include The Artful Giraffe, Discover Sarasota Tours, Siegfried’s Restaurant and Biergarten, and The Cookie Cottage. The project is still in the planning and fundraising phase.
I have always believed Sarasota’s character is shaped by the local businesses and gathering places that bring people together. It will be exciting to watch this next chapter unfold.
A Bespoke Picnic Experience
Plan a Sarasota Picnic with a Personal Touch
I always enjoy discovering local businesses that make creative use of Sarasota’s beautiful outdoor setting, and Sun Served Bespoke Picnic Experiences is such a cool concept. The company transforms a traditional picnic into a beautifully styled experience with food, refreshments, and personalized details.
Guests can add yoga or sound meditation, a private kayak or boat excursion, or spa-inspired activities, along with grazing boxes, flowers, champagne, and other special touches.
It’s an imaginative way to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, engagement, or simply enjoy a memorable afternoon with family and friends.
Sun Served is another wonderful example of the creative local businesses that make Sarasota so enjoyable - beautiful surroundings, time outdoors, and experiences that bring people together.