Sure, there are lots of homes on the market, with more new home construction on the way. But some, like this one, stand out—even when they're tucked away.

Located in Sarasota’s sought-after Indian Beach-Sapphire Shores neighborhood, just north of downtown, this modern retreat at 653 40th St. is both a home and a work of art. It's now on the market for $3,195,000.

Designed by artist Melanie Whaley, it seamlessly blends form and function. Creativity feels inevitable here.

"I really wanted a peaceful, calming home," Whaley says. "We had that in upstate New York, and I wanted to bring that same feeling here."

Completed in 2021, the home was born out of necessity and vision. When Whaley and her husband moved to Sarasota, just months before the pandemic, they struggled to find a property that included her most important requirement: a studio that only allows in true northern light.

Revered by artists for its consistency and how it's diffused, it became a guiding principle in the home’s design. Leonardo da Vinci studied its scientific properties and used it to bring figures to life in works like The Mona Lisa. Johannes Vermeer relied on north-facing windows to achieve similar effects, as seen in his The Milkmaid. Even with the advent of electricity, Norman Rockwell used the glow of northern light in his studio to bring warmth to his iconic illustrations. 

"Finding a home with a 'true north' studio was challenging. Instead, we found a piece of land with a tear-down and decided to build from the ground up," Whaley says. "The process took a year and a half, and I handled the bulk of the design and architectural work. At our age, we know how we live. We also drew inspiration from homes we had seen, borrowing ideas to suit them to our needs."

"As an artist, it’s hard for me to string words together, but visually, I’m good with lines," Whaley says. "We designed the house so that every space would be used and feel intentional."

For example, in the kitchen, two-tone Italian cabinetry, sleek quartz countertops and high-end appliances make the space stunning and functional. "I knew exactly how a kitchen had to work," Whaley says. "It had to be both beautiful and efficient."

Spanning 3,200 square feet and built with durability in mind, the home's concrete block construction and oversized impact-glass windows also provide peace of mind—something at the top of buyer wishlists after the 2024 hurricane season.

And at its heart, the expansive open-concept living area blends the kitchen, dining, and lounge spaces with the outdoors. Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors lead to a 680-square-foot covered lanai—an outdoor living room in its own right—complete with automated screens and a natural-flame fire table.

"You’ll find me on the lanai most of the time," Whaley says. "It’s like a second living space, with a sofa, chairs and a dining table. I wake up early, sit outside with my coffee and Kaz [her Tibetan Terrier], and just take it all in."

The primary suite opens onto a private patio with a spa, outdoor shower, and lush gardens—a retreat within the retreat. There are also dual walk-in closets and a spa-like ensuite bath. 

"We came from a farmhouse-style home, but here, we felt clean lines were better suited to Florida living," Whaley says. "I didn’t want a home that felt like it was pulled straight out of the Northeast. The use of space, the openness, the simplicity—that was the goal."

"We weren’t on the water, so we designed the garden as our view," she continues. "It’s a private world of greenery and light, a place to walk and reflect."

Whaley's extensive travels influenced the home’s aesthetic. Having lived in Asia, Australia, and across the U.S., she's curated a collection of meaningful pieces.

 "Anything that looks Asian, we brought with us," she says. "Over the years, we’ve collected things that add a personal, international flair." For example, an Indonesian opium table sits on the lanai.

Despite the love and care poured into the home, Whaley is selling because Florida's heat and humidity have exacerbated a health condition, making drier climates a necessity.

"We love our home, but chronic pain is hard to ignore," she says. "It’s a quality-of-life decision."

For those seeking more than just a house, this is a home that inspires and soothes. And before she leaves, Whaley is also planning an art sale—an opportunity to share her creative journey with others. 

Interested? Contact Andrew Tanner of Premier Sotheby's International Realty, at (941) 539-0998. Click here to check out Whaley's art.