01 — Home of Laurie and Mark Sullivan— Bringing St. Petersburg Art to the Beach
A Journey to Pass-A-Grille
Laurie and her husband Mark, raised their family in the Washington D.C. area and have been vacationing in St. Pete Beach for many years while visiting her parents in Isla Del Sol. Laurie, a former runner, loved running through the Pass-A-Grille area and neighborhood. The couple purchased a condo in Isla in 2013 but with their expanding family later decided to look for a home in Pass-A-Grille. After purchasing the home in 2020 and an extensive five month renovation, they were ready to move into the adorable beach house with brick paved patio leading to a welcoming portico at 2504 Pass-A-Grille Way. At first look, you will see that this unique house does not resemble any of the homes surrounding it which is part of the charm of this neighborhood. No “cookie cutter” homes here!
A Distinctive Beach Home with Character
The house originally built in 1958 has undergone several major changes over the years, one major change, the addition of a second story in 2002. The couple now uses the entire second floor as the primary suite, home office, and study complete with a massive ensuite bathroom. This separation from the main floor provides a private retreat while hosting overnight guests and family. The most recent remodel took place in 2025 replacing the gray and turquoise theme with white walls which now create a blank canvas for the many paintings and sculptures created by local artists.
Light-Filled Living Spaces & Artisan Details
As you enter the front door, you will see a light-filled living area which includes a dining area and kitchen beyond. A cozy gas fireplace, one of two in the home, provides warmth on those chilly Florida winter nights. This is the only source of heat needed to warm the house. To the left of the fireplace is a built-in cabinet displaying glass sculptures. The kitchen island with quartz countertops and white cabinets sports a chef’s kitchen with high end appliances. Laurie found the massive glass bowl which takes center stage on the island countertop at Shapiro’s Art Gallery on Central. The alcove in the kitchen originally housed a washer and dryer which are now located on the second floor. Your eyes are immediately drawn to the wall with a collage of terra cotta tiles from Mexico that Laurie had purchased. She recruited a skilled tile artisan from Czechoslovakia to design the pattern for the wall. Having been in the tile business for many years, he later said this was one of the most difficult projects he ever completed. The end product was well worth the effort!
At the foot of the massive teak sleigh bed in the front guest bedroom is a wooden chest belonging to Laurie’s father which sustained some damage in the move. A koi pond, painted by a local artist, now graces the chest. The previous owner’s thoughtful design features showers with surrounding walls so no shower doors are needed. The second bathroom with a door leading outside comes in handy when guests are returning from the beach and pool. The unique custom designed marble sink bowls in each bathroom add a dramatic effect. In the backyard the solar heated pool is surrounded by lush landscaping, creating a serene private refuge.
Showcasing Local Art at the Beach
The homeowners began collecting art from local artists in 2019 and incorporated these into their Pass-A-Grille beach house. They have several pieces from the Florida Craft Art, a nonprofit organization who sponsor the Emerging Artist Program as well as pieces from galleries in downtown St. Pete. A coastal seascape by local Vina artist Sheila Olsen hangs above the console in the dining room. Several paintings by contemporary artist Gudrun Newman are adjacent. Laurie also commissioned a painting that she loved of the St. Pete Pier by a local artist, Patricia Kluwe Derderian, when the dimension of the original painting was too large to fit the designated area. The house provides the perfect showcase for art, bringing the works of St. Petersburg artists to the beach.
