The Bunurong/Boonwurrung people, the original custodians of the land, have a deep connection to the site of the Florida House. Our clients envisioned a home to accommodate their ageing needs and welcome their children for family gatherings. They desired a bright, airy home intricately connected to their beautiful garden. They also sought a refuge that […]
The Bunurong/Boonwurrung people, the original custodians of the land, have a deep connection to the site of the Florida House. Our clients envisioned a home to accommodate their ageing needs and welcome their children for family gatherings. They desired a bright, airy home intricately connected to their beautiful garden. They also sought a refuge that […]
The Bunurong/Boonwurrung people, the original custodians of the land, have a deep connection to the site of the Florida House. Our clients envisioned a home to accommodate their ageing needs and welcome their children for family gatherings. They desired a bright, airy home intricately connected to their beautiful garden. They also sought a refuge that […]
Explore charming small sunroom ideas for a cozy atmosphere. Discover transformative decor suggestions in our guide.
We were fortunate last week to have some time to drive down to the coast and travel along scenic Highway 98. We drove along the most southern point of the northwest portion of the Florida coast where the land meets the Gulf of Mexico. We drove as far west as Panama City, and then drove back, visiting Mexico Beach, Port St. Joe, and then on to Apalachicola. It has again turned cold in our area, but last weekend the days were perfect and almost Spring-like. The skies were clear and the waters peaceful, calm, and so beautifully blue. Many of the structures in Apalachicola have been renovated and in 2008, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Apalachicola, "one of a dozen distinctive destinations in the United States." Apalachicola was established in 1821 and was named after the Apalachicola Indians. By 1837, Apalachicola had become the 3rd largest port on the Gulf of Mexico behind New Orleans and Mobile. This port was one of the busiest seaports along the Gulf Coast. In the 1800s when cotton was king, steamboats came into the Apalachicola port transporting cotton. During the Civil War, Union forces in an attempt to halt ships carrying needed supplies to the Confederacy, blocked the seaport. The town fell to the Union forces. There was later a lumber milling boom in the area. Then, Apalachicola became the center of the oyster industry in Florida. Today shrimp boats and oyster skiffs are common sights in Apalachicola. More than 90% of Florida's oyster production is harvested from Apalachicola Bay. Tourism and seafood fuel the economy in this charming working fishing village. Apalachicola has become a travel destination for many, with several hotels, B&Bs, shops, and boutiques. There are more than a dozen seafood restaurants, and even an old timey soda fountain. The Gibson Inn The Gibson Inn is one of the first sights that catches your eye as you cross over the Apalachicola bridge and drive into town. The Gibson Inn was built in 1907 of native heart pine and black cypress and is now listed on the National Historic Register of Historic Places, after being carefully restored in 1985. The Inn is inviting with the wrap-around Victorian-style porch with rocking chairs all around. There are 30 guest rooms all furnished with antiques. The restaurant serves breakfast and dinner, and is so popular reservations are highly recommended. We took a walk around the Apalachicola Maritime Museum in the below photo. The Museum was founded to celebrate and preserve the rich maritime history of the area. The museum offers educational programs including boat building. While there you can sign up for historical tours, kayak trips, sunset cruises and multiple other activities. One of the boats being built at the Museum. There were some interesting photos in the museum. This below photo shows oystering in the bay. In the below photo is a shrimp boat docked at the waterfront. A group of sea gulls resting on the seaport walkway. The Dixie Theatre in the below photo was built in 1912 and is in the heart of the downtown area. It was fully renovated in 1996-98 and offers a variety of entertainment. Some shops downtown. I love the way they use oyster shells for landscaping mulch. They look so appropriate for a fishing village. The below photo shows the historic Grady Building which was built in the 1880s to house a family operated hardware and ship supply store along the bustling riverfront. It also housed a bank and storage for the hardware store. The upper floors were shared by the Captain of the Port, a French Consulate, and a U.S. Customs office. It is located directly across from the riverfront. There was a three year renovation of the Grady Building. The downstairs Grady Market features a collection of galleries and boutiques. The upstairs, overlooking the Apalachicola River, has been turned into four luxury suites with fully equipped kitchens. The suites are called "The Consulate" and are available for rent. There is a beautiful garden in the back of the building for parties such as wedding receptions. As we left the downtown area we wanted to drive around and get a better look at some of the charming Victorian homes in the Historic District. They call these homes Victorian, but I think some of them look like a combination of the Florida Cracker, Victorian and the Farmhouse look. I love the style of all of these homes. To me they look so warm and inviting. Just scroll down and take a look at these charming homes. Hurricanes come up through the Gulf of Mexico often brushing by, or even directly hitting Apalachicola. With that thought in mind it is surprising there are so many tree lined streets in the area. The trees have survived the storms nicely. In the Historic District we saw the John Gorrie Museum. In 1849 Apalachicola physician Dr. John Gorrie discovered the cold-air process of refrigeration and patented his ice machine. When Yellow Fever came to the area Dr. Gorrie felt his patients would recuperate faster if colder air flow could surround them. That was the incentive for him to develop the ice machine. A replica of his ice machine is on display in the Museum. He is given credit for laying the groundwork for air-conditioning. We continued our drive through the Historic District. Many of these homes were originally the homes of sea captains, river pilots and sponge divers. How about these beautiful trees! This was an interesting tree in the below photo. If you look closely it is a Magnolia tree growing very close to an Oak tree. Can you tell which one is which? When you back away you can see the Oak and Magnolia growing nicely intertwined. And last we see this pretty gazebo in Lafayette Park down by the riverfront. This park was established in 1832. They tell us the whole town is less than 3 miles wide .... It seemed bigger than that to me. If we had the time we would have enjoyed staying in Apalachicola a little longer. It would have been fun going through the antique shops, and we would love to have dinner at the Gibson Inn and some of the other restaurants that sounded so good ... Maybe another time. Thanks for coming along with us on our sightseeing trip through this charming little fishing village. Wishing you well wherever you may be.
To all our American readers, Happy 4th of July (Independence Day), and to celebrate, here are 10 modern American houses we've featured over the years.
built in tropical miami, 'brillhart house' has been designed using materials that reference what is termed 'the seemingly forgotten american vernacular'.
In designing their own home, Melissa and Jacob Brillhart looked to the dogtrot house, a popular style of the Florida Cracker vernacular, which is character
Dive into the intersection of sandy feet and soulful design. This isn't just a gallery of beach house mudrooms; it's a journey through spaces where the
I didn't think things in WaterColor, Florida could get any more blissful...until I ran across Mint Julep–an aptly named vacation rental brimming with seaside style! The atmosphere is refreshing, calmi
Explore our Single Storey, Double Storey, Duplex, Acerage Home Designs. Modern home design ideas by Fowler Homes. High quality house plans with affordable price.
2011 cuba, havana
Florida Homes Magazine is a published magazine that successfully targets a very well defined region of highly potential Florida real estate buyers. Florida Homes Magazine has a solid distribution base of over 40,000 upscale residences in southern Ontario, Canada. Florida Homes Magazine provides its readers with insightful real estate information and everything that they need for their Florida home buying needs.
Fresh air, fresh looks.
Explore charming small sunroom ideas for a cozy atmosphere. Discover transformative decor suggestions in our guide.
Die Heritage-Kollektion von Ceramiche Keope, dem Spezialisten für Feinsteinzeug, wird ihrem „Made in Italy“-Standard gerecht: Sie bietet erhöhte Widerstandsfähigkeit und Langlebigkeit. Gleichzeitig werden der visuelle Reiz, die Textur sowie …
Every few years, the owners of this home in Naples, Fla., start working on a new home. They spent two years building this home, which features an infinity-edge pool overlooking a pond, as well as a home theater, a wine cellar and golf-course views. --Sushil Cheema, 06/15/11
Southwest of Fort Myers, lay the beaches of tranquil Captiva Island. Know for its soft sandy shores + old world Florida charm.
The Bunurong/Boonwurrung people, the original custodians of the land, have a deep connection to the site of the Florida House. Our clients envisioned a home to accommodate their ageing needs and welcome their children for family gatherings. They desired a bright, airy home intricately connected to their beautiful garden. They also sought a refuge that […]
I never meant to end up in Safety Harbor, Florida. I was visiting a friend in Clearwater Beach and had to occupy myself while she went to a baby shower. She suggested driving 15 minutes down the ro…
Clive Daniel Home Interior Design Project.Port Royal- Rum Row- Private Home, Naples FL
The Fort Charles Estate, a single family home in Naples, Florida designed by Kukk Architecture & Design, P.A., Southwest Florida architectural firm.
A vacation home in John’s Island fuses understated style with comfort, and ends up being everything a Maryland couple envisioned it could be.
Designer Ellen Kavanaugh takes us inside her bright and beautiful Wellington home.
In late February of 2020, I took a trip to the Florida Keys. It was two weeks before shelter-in-place orders went into effect in California in March, and I ...
ELLE DECOR
The intricate roof line and decorative shutters of this Florida house plan are balanced by clean, straight lines. The center of the home holds a huge, open great room that unites the kitchen, dining area and main living space. Gorgeous tray ceilings top all the main rooms. Sliding glass doors all along the back of the house take you to the marvelous outdoor living room that shelters you from sun and rain. There's even an optional summer kitchen so you can grill up a storm. You'll have tons of counter space in the high-end kitchen that has a giant island that faces the great room fireplace so you can cook with a view. In the master retreat, both of the large walk-in closets close with space-saving pocket doors and the master bathroom has a stand alone soaking tub and huge walk-in shower. NOTE: Restrictions may apply if building in Lee or Collier County, Florida. Please contact us for details. Related Plans: Get alternate versions with house plans 86027BW and 86104BW.
When longtime Naples residents Norman and Lesley Klym decided to invest in their forever home in the exclusive community of Coquina Sands, they assembled a tried-and-true design team to build the house of their dreams. “This is the second residence we’ve done for these homeowners,” says architect Robert Herscoe, who collaborated with his colleague Michael […]
When it comes to interior design, there are endless possibilities when it comes to decorating your home. If you want your home to feel earthy and natural, check out these nature-inspired home decor ideas.
A couple's new Naples, Florida, home celebrates British west indies architecture with a touch of southern charm.
Sq. Ft.: 3,056 Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 4
Browse Florida home interiors and learn about Florida decorating and design.
The Galleon Estate, a single family home in Naples, Florida designed by Kukk Architecture & Design, P.A., Southwest Florida architectural firm.
