Last Updated on July 27, 2023
We believe in being true to ourselves and love when we discover Authentic Floridians who beat to their own drum.
On our way to the Orange Festival in Dunedin, my husband Randy and I decided to make a quick, impromptu pitstop in Safety Harbor to check out “Whimzey”, the home of Todd Ramquist and Kiaralinda.
We’ve heard about this house for YEARS and had never had the chance to see it in person.
Since pictures are worth a thousand words, we captured photos of this unique, multi-colored, ever-evolving, creative, eclectic gingerbread cottage and studio.
Arriving at Whimzeyland in Safety Harbor
When we arrived at 1206 3rd Street N in Safety Harbor, we weren’t quite sure what to expect at Whimzeyland in Safety Harbor.
This house had been featured in numerous TV shows and magazines but was still unsure what we would find.
We didn’t know where we should park or if we would get arrested for trespassing.
The owners are artists and were on the road this time of the year doing art festivals and shows, so we cautiously explored their whimsical property.
We parked on the street, and although there was a mulch area parking area, we weren’t sure if that parking area was for the owners or unexpected guests like us. The Little Free Library made us feel ok to park on the mulch.
Fun, large Jester head sculptures and Mardi Gras beads greeted us as we followed the path into this artists’ slice of paradise.
Although we were hesitant just freely to roam the surroundings at first, it became very apparent that the homeowners welcomed respectful visitors … even unexpected ones, like us.
Kitschy Decor and Beautiful Gardens
One of the many charms of Whimzeyland in Safety Harbor is the hundreds and hundreds of bowling balls bordering the flowerbeds while vibrant mosaic sidewalks lead guests thru the gardens.
It’s a magical place where bottle trees and palm trees live in peace and harmony.
The mosaic tiles reminded us of a cross between the Wizard of Oz and our fabulous trip to Barcelona.
The entire place was so bright and cheery that we just found ourselves smiling as we followed along the path.
A Whimzeyland Giftshop?
To the right of the entrance was a welcoming multi-use outdoor area. We thought it was a gift shop (forgetting this was someone’s home and not a museum).
It’s a covered porch that appears to be used for dining, creating art, enjoying a music jam session, or whatever other need may pop up for the owners.
We roamed around in awe before picking up a postcard for the Safety Harbor Art and Music Center (SHAMc), which was started by the owners of the house and a friend of theirs.
SHAMc would have to be a part of another Authentic Florida road trip when we had more time since we already had a full itinerary for the day, and time was ticking.
We were nervous to peek in the windows since we were not sure if people were staying in the main house or cottage.
Overall, we knew we had to come back when the owners were expecting us, so we could do a more thorough story on the whole house and the people behind it and maybe even get to see the inside of the house. (Stay tuned …)
As mentioned, the owners are both artists, who travel frequently to art shows/festivals. Although they were out of town, their good friend, Heather Richardson, who we ended up meeting in a kismet way at SHAMc, confirmed that the owners have no issues with people enjoying their property as we did.
The Many Bowling Balls of Whimzeyland
Everywhere we turned, there was something fun to see at Whimzeyland. We especially loved how they used bowling balls as garden separators.
Apparently, many of the bowling balls were left by people who knew the owners would put the balls to good use. (My mom has a bowling ball garden at her house in Winter Park. Her friends have supplied the majority of her bowling balls).
The whole place is truly a visual feast. The owners have created a fine mixture of Florida’s natural landscaping and original art splashed into the setting. So clever and creative! And, so cool that this community embraces it!
Visitors can also get some great ideas on recycling their everyday household goods and turning them into works of art. For example, the colorful bottle gardens are inspirational and easy to create.
(NOTE: if you look carefully, you may catch some pop culture icons thrown into the mix. For example, we spy a french fry ride from a McDonald Land playground).
It never ceases to amaze us how adding color can make such a huge difference. It feels like the commercial celebrations of Easter, Christmas, and your birthday every day at Whimzeyland in Safety Habor!
Do you think anyone could ever be in a bad mood around all this happiness and quirk? We think not!
So, the next time you are near Safety Harbor in Pinellas County, plug Todd Ramquist and Kiaralinda’s wonderful home address into your GPS and see Whimzeyland first-hand. Also, make sure you plan a time to visit SHAMc.
Main Street Safety Harbor
Before we headed out to the Orange Festival, we decided to drive down the Main Street of Safety Harbor.
We spotted a fire station that had an interesting mural painted on it. On a fluke, I decided to circle the block to go back and take a photo of the station.
Lo and behold, it was the perfect place to circle the block. We stumbled upon SHAMc … what a fantastic place it is!!!
Safety Harbor Art and Music Center
Safety Harbor Art and Music Center is a 501(c) non-profit organization whose mission is to promote knowledge of and education in fine arts, the visual arts, and the performing arts. All donations are tax-deductible and greatly contribute to the arts in the community.
Safety Harbor Art and Music Center (SHAMc) was a lifelong dream for Todd Ramquist, Kiaralinda, and Heather Richardson, the Founders.
Thanks to a Pepsi Refresh Grant, as well as the support of the community and people around the world, they were able to start the transformation of the Rigsby House into what is now known as SHAMc.
Since acquiring the property years ago, they have transformed it into their dream center. It’s where children and the children at heart can gather to celebrate art.
Check out another artistic Florida home here: Home is Where the Art is at the “Starry Night” House in Mount Dora.