From the moment you step into our beach house in Port St. Joe, you’ll know—this is no ordinary vacation rental. This is a sanctuary layered with meaning. A place where every corner tells a story. This is our Forgotten Coast Sanctuary, a beach house born from vulnerability and courage, where Chuck and I started building a life together while navigating the layers of our past.
A Welcome in the Details
The entryway whispers hello with a fragile, handmade shell mobile Chuck picked up years ago in Nags Head, North Carolina—a nod to family vacations of his past. It hangs from driftwood, swaying gently, a quiet invitation to slow down and be gentle. Below it, a handmade sign that reads “Be Kind,” gifted by Chuck’s sister, Kathy, reminds everyone who enters our home to simply enjoy the day. Two oversized shells rest beside it, representing us—Ely and Chuck. Simple. Intentional. Full of heart. Always willing to give to others.
The Rooms That Speak
In the front room, a colorful photograph of a boat taken by Joseph Desiderio of the St. Augustine marina—purchased initially to be hung in my son Gabe’s room in Tallahassee—now finds its place here. Gabe has always loved boats, and this photo carries his energy and dreams into the space.
Step into the bunk room and you’ll meet the sea creatures of Brenda Flynn, an artist from Ormond Beach, Florida, whose colorful mixed-media work Gabe and I discovered at Tallahassee’s Chain of Parks festival. For three years, we collected her art—one or two pieces at a time. It was our tradition. Today, three of those vibrant sea creatures hang on the wall here. Brenda’s art is playful, textured, full of movement—much like our memories.
There’s also a bold orange octopus in the room, a piece Chuck won at a silent auction. For months, we didn’t know where to put it. And then, one day, it just belonged—there, on that wall, as if the sea had brought it home.
In the bathroom shared by these two rooms hangs a striking collection of photographs by Richard Bickel, the world-renowned photographer whose work captures the raw, untamed soul of the Forgotten Coast. I met him years ago—before I even owned a home here. Somehow, this place had been calling me long before I ever arrived or even knew about it.
As you walk into the living area, a playful sign reads “No Crabby Attitudes.” A not-so-subtle invitation to leave not only the weight of the world behind but the drama and to let the joy and peace of this beach house help you make memories that matter.
The Living Room: A Window Into Our Lives
In the dining room, you’ll find my photography. Sunrise over the St. Marks Lighthouse. The quiet stillness of the refuge. I took these photos just after dawn one morning before work—on a tip from a friend. I didn’t expect to cry. But when I saw the light break over the marsh, I did. I wanted to remember that moment, so I captured it the only way I know how—through my unfiltered lens.
At the end of the living room hang surfboards—an art piece from Goin’ Coastal in downtown Port St. Joe, originally owned by a neighbor named Donna. She knew the boards belonged with us. We’d both surfed in different seasons of life and places around the USA, and this piece felt like a bridge between us and the water we love.
And above the bar, a handcrafted boat by Jorge Lastra. We met him in Savannah, Georgia, during an overnight trip and still keep in touch. We loved his boats, but we couldn’t decide whether we wanted to go small or big. Eventually, we chose a size just right. It now welcomes you into our master bedroom, anchoring the bar with quiet elegance.
The Kitchen and Master: Heart of the Home
Above the kitchen pantry hangs a stained-glass piece that reads “Ely’s Way,” made by my mom, Kathy, as a housewarming gift. Chuck had named the house that, believing—rightly so—that I hold the threads that keep it all together. The glass shines high above, facing the entire home and reminding us that love lives in the details and that I make the rules.
In the master bedroom, a carved wooden map of the Forgotten Coast hangs—a handmade treasure from a local artist we met at the Salt Air farmers Market in Port St. Joe.
The bathroom tells its own story. Between the double sinks, a gift Chuck gave me on our first anniversary: a strong heart made of a seashell from Carla Alecci. A symbol of love found later in life, and the quiet strength of that discovery. A 45-year-old painting of Fort Walton Beach hangs nearby, where Chuck was born while his father was stationed in the Air Force. It’s worn, framed in its original matting, and somehow perfect. Above the tub, another stained-glass piece from my mom: a sunset. A piece cracked while she was making it, and she almost threw it away. But I loved the beauty in its imperfection. Life is like that—flawed, fragile, and still breathtaking.
And then there’s the oyster art from Shore House Furniture in Panama City Beach, which we purchased the same day we signed the contract on this home. Chuck loves eating oysters. The simplicity of the design spoke to both of us.
The In-Law Suite and the Porch: Symbols of Freedom
In our guest suite, you’ll find a piece by Paula Gasparini-Santos, a dear friend and artist who gifted us this piece while spending time with us in our Sanctuary. It’s full of flight—birds soaring, reminding me of what it means to live freely. That’s what this place gives us. Permission to exhale. To be Free.
Step onto the back porch and you’ll see something wildly different—a metal sun sculpture we found on a detour through Barberville Yard Art Emporium. Strange. Eclectic. It is unlike us yet so intriguing and captivating, we simply had to bring it home with us.
Even the mirrors in this beach house hold stories. I would love to know what truths they’ve seen.
More Than a Place to Stay
The magic of what Chuk and I have created is embedded everywhere. This beach house is filled with meaning. Every corner, every wall, every item was chosen with love, intention, and connection. This is our sacred space—one we continue to shape with art, photography, local treasures, soul, and memories. Every time I walk in, I’m simply enchanted.
For travelers, artists, writers, photographers, or anyone seeking stillness, beauty, or reconnection, our home is your canvas.
Come watch the sunset. Sit under the stars. Let the waves move you. Whether you’re here to rest, reflect, reconnect, or simply breathe, we invite you to stay. You’ll find more than a beach vacation rental in Port St Joe—you’ll find a story waiting to include you in it.
📆 Your story in Port St Joe starts with a stay. Ready to book it? Text me at 850-284-9098. Email me at info@forgottencoastsanctuary.com or book your stay at www.forgottencoastsanctuary.com
