Local philanthropist's home office embraces pink with a passion

Charlie Ann Syprett may have left her days of practicing law behind, but she has by no means slowed down. Currently, Syprett is the Sarasota Film Festival development director and a consultant for Strategic Philanthropy, among other things, so it’s imperative for this busy lady to have a home office of her own.

Syprett’s famous pink office is located in the back corner of her and her husband, Jim’s, Old Florida/Key West-style home on Siesta Key. The space, which represents all that makes Syprett who she is, has stunning views of the bay.

“It was a no-brainer,” says Syprett about choosing which room would be home to her office.

There were two other rooms available to use when she was choosing her office — one definitely had a man-cave feel and the other had a large closet, but good storage space had nothing on the breathtaking view.

“Sometimes I even step out on the porch and sit on the couch to take a phone call or to do some reading — it’s the perfect spot to get some peace and quiet,” says Syprett.

The sliding doors to the outdoor porch are also useful for airing out the smell of the glue gun when Syprett is crafting. Along with nonprofit management and fundraising, Syprett’s office doubles as a craft room. In fact, in September Syprett put together the 22 auction baskets for Legal Aid’s Lawyers and Legends event, merging both her creative talents and her passion for philanthropy.

Why pink?
Syprett’s home office initially had a garden theme, but was “always easing toward pink,” as she puts it. In 2007, she redesigned the room and embraced the pink full force.

“Pink is my favorite color,” she explains. “I didn’t want it to look like law — beiges, dark woods — I wanted it to have a vibrant, happy look.”

When making the decision to paint the room pink, Syprett’s husband was in shock, but not as shocked as the painter.

“He (the painter) kept saying, ‘This room is pink,’” she recalls. As for Jim, he’s grown to like the room ... sort of.

“He likes the fact that I like it,” she says.

Photos of her friends and family, Boston terrier collectibles, notes from her grandchildren and gifts friends have given her (such as the life-size Elvis Presley cutout and an Elvis photograph with the words “To Charlie Ann, Love Elvis”) fill her home office as décor but, more importantly, as inspiration.

“It keeps you grounded. It reminds me of who I was, who I am and who I will be,” she says.