I am just returning from Apalachicola, Florida. I have been finishing some of the details on an old Florida home, that I have been working on for the past year. Friendly folks, good food and beautiful scenery abound in the charming town of Apalachicola. Harvesting oysters and fishing seem to be the main focus, but good Southern food is plentiful. Maybe the best biscuits in the world are found at Caroline's on the River!
About 4 inches in diameter and almost as high, these biscuits are made by a magician of a chef! We ate them every single morning for breakfast- my mouth is still watering ! Those darn biscuits have made me nearly forget the focus of this post-
the beautiful old Florida home!
Few homes built in the late 1800's remain as pristinely preserved as this gem in Apalachicola.
While there is still work to be completed, I want to share our progress so far! Maritesese's children are coming for Thanksgiving, so our goal was to get the draperies hung, the furniture arranged and the pictures placed. Mission accomplished by the two of us and Pat- her loving and extremely patient husband!
Enter the incredible foyer- and imagine it in 1890.
We purchased a gilded hall table for the center of the great hall. To brighten the space, we chose a vivid turquoise pattern for the settee on the landing!
We added two tear drop chandeliers - exactly what we saw in a picture of the home in the 1800's!
Our arrangement of velvet pumpkins, rhinestone twig trees and antlers on the foyer table.
Notice the incredible craftsmanship on the wood work in this fine old home.
Off to the sides of the foyer are the music room and the parlor. We added portieres on the opening to the rooms, as was also found in the home's original furnishings. The original rods were still in place!
We used bright color to liven up the spaces. In these rooms the horizontal wood walls are painted with Farrow and Ball paint in historical colors.
Modern patterns and color update this space.
In the parlor, we used the very long velvet sofa from Shabby Chic and the purple velvet chairs from Horchow. The Asian carved door and over sized coffee table are antiques from the home owners previous home.
A fossilized wood table sits between the two purple velvet chairs.
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| Our next step is to find a rug for the room. This photo shopped picture shows how it will warm up the space. Or maybe a bright green rug?   Or green with purple ? More hunting to do! The powder room on the main floor-  Mariterese and I found the cabinet and mirror in Atlanta and converted it to a sink. The wallpaper is from Cole and Son and features vintage mugs and goblets in bright colors that are used through out the main floor of the home. Still need to fiqure out window treatments in here too!  |
Mariterese cooking fish for dinner that her husband Pat caught!
A coffee station by the refrigerator.
The kitchen has been updated with new appliances and countertops, including the soapstone on the large island. It's large, with plenty of room for several cooks in the kitchen.
Now for my favorite room in the home!
The over sized dining room features a rustic farm table with black leather and gilded frame chairs.
The prettiest dining room chair that I have ever seen!
Imagine dining by the fire in the winter months!
An Aiden Gray chandelier adds a warm antique glow to the paneled room with it's antique color crystal. I love the contrast of the rustic table with the gilded chairs.
Upstairs, off a large center hall, there are four large bedrooms.
The windows are almost 12 feet tall and add incredible amounts of light into the rooms.
A sweet pale pink bath with a claw tub serves all the rooms except the master.
"The Repentance Room"
A large tapestry was made into a headboard for the "Repentance" room!
A collection of paintings of religious figures adds wonderful history and deep colors to the room.
Long bronze taffeta drapes fall gracefully to the floor.
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| This bedroom (Emily's Room) features a collection of gilded furniture that we found in Atlanta. The four poster bed is dressed in Bella Notte linens. |
A sheer voile with velvet ribbon details hangs on the tall windows.
Mariterese filled this beautiful old cabinet with large shell specimens. Lovely to look at!
Plans for the grounds of this home ultimately call for vegetable and herb gardens, citrus trees, cutting gardens and a conservatory. A major overhaul of the front of the home is happening in the near future.
Using creative license, here is my rendition of what this stately home will look like when the gardens are complete!
This old house is very lucky. It found a new family that will lovingly care for it and take pride in owning it for many years to come! I think it's best years are ahead!
Lot's of love, laughter and fun will fill it's grand halls.
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