At the recent Historic Hyde Park Home Tour in South Tampa, Topsy Turvy met up with Karen House at her lovely Florida Cracker-style bungalow. Right away TT was charmed by its casual, easy-living feel. From the "Key West" style tin roof and flamingo pink exterior, to the colorful accents used throughout the interiors, this is a home that respects its heritage and history, but has been adapted to work well for a Florida lifestyle. Built in 1913, the American four-square plan resembles a country farm house.

Karen and her husband, Mark, were kind enough to allow TT to photograph their home, and take our readers on a virtual tour.

Please click on any image for a larger view.

The large wrap-around porch acts as additional living space in nice weather, which is mostly year-round here.

The entry is left somewhat spare, which allows the few pieces there to command attention. The armoire dates from the 1800s and was purchased from Faye's Side Porch. (Faye is a Tampa standout and great source for antiques and unusual finds.) The light fixture is new, chosen to coordinate with a 20s era Spanish-style chandelier in the living room.

The living room is furnished with comfortable upholstered pieces like this chair and ottoman. A couple of open doorways (with decorative brackets) allow a glimpse into the dining room beyond.

Original to the home, the coal-burning fireplace no longer works, but the unique hand-painted, glazed-tile surround makes a great focal point for the room. The chandelier is reflected in the mirror inset above the mantel.

Green glass candlesticks play off the multi-colored, sparkling accents in the new Schonbek chandelier - offering bright contrast to the dark wood furniture and floors.

A hallway leads from the entry to the kitchen in the rear of the house.

A painted chest in a powder room is a standout amongst the predominantly dark wood furniture. A bouquet of greens and flowers perks up the breakfast area.

The breakfast room chandelier, from the 20s-30s, was purchased at Gaslight Antiques, in Tampa. The table came from another local shop, Karen's Antiques. The chairs were purchased new.

Mark and Karen renovated their kitchen to create an eat-in area and replaced a tile floor with reclaimed heart pine, and stained it to match the floors in the rest of the home. A vibrant backsplash of multi-hued handpainted clay tiles, stainless steel appliances and a white farmhouse sink brighten the space.

Cabinet pulls - each a different color - carry through the theme of colored glass accents. The absolute black honed-granite countertops were chosen to mimic the look of soapstone, which Karen says was unavailable at the time.

Instead of a typical furniture grouping, Karen placed 4 slipcovered chairs around a coffee table ottoman (all from Quatrine) in this sitting area off the kitchen. The use of several different fabrics and a seagrass rug helps keep it casual. Three of the chairs appear to be the same style, but each is upholstered in a slightly different way! (Notice only one chair is skirted.) The room has the airy feel of a sunporch, with two walls of windows overlooking the backyard and pool.

Another view of the sitting room features a painting that Karen chose because it reminded her of the Pennsylvania country roads of her childhood.

TT gives a round of applause to the Houses, for keeping this area (the social hub of the home) television-free!

Steps from the kitchen is the backyard pool and access to an entertainment space, a guest suite and an upper porch off the master bedroom, via a spiral staircase. Up another level is a 'belvedere' (an open-air structure for the purpose of a view), perfect for watching the fireworks over Channelside and Tampa Bay.

A 30s-era iron bench, which came from a great aunt, provides a charming sitting area near the pool. By eliminating the back cushions and making her own seat cushion, Karen created a piece that we think would be at home in any French garden.

Karen House has no background in design, but given her (fortuitous perhaps?) last name and the success she has achieved in her own home, she might well be onto a new career.

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Topsy Turvy would love to know if you dear readers would enjoy seeing more home tours. Please drop us a note and let us know what you think!
(We do have several more sneak peaks in the works, along with some shop tours coming up next week. So please come back soon!)
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