Kitchen Tour & More

Recently Tampa's Old Hyde Park held its annual Kitchen Tour, but we got to take a peek at more than just kitchens. Of seven homes on the tour, here's one of my favorites in this charming neighborhood of wonderfully restored bungalows. Just another beautiful day in Florida.


This home is owned by an interior designer, and the decor is a fresh and pretty mix of Hollywood glam, chinoiserie, and tropical Florida punch. It's casual enough to feel comfortable, yet dressed up a notch.

Notice the decorative muntins in the glass pane of the door in the photo above, and then take a look at the leading in the transom windows on the sun porch in the second photo below. Now compare these to the side lights and transom around the front door in the exterior photo at top, and you can see a repetitive architectural design element that the owner has referenced in the decor throughout the home - in the use of trellis, caning and fretwork patterns. This is a nice, subtle way of creating continuity in the design scheme.


I love the sun room, below, with those gorgeous leaded windows and wraparound views. What a lucky girl to have this for a playroom. Secondary to the windows and views is that great dollhouse. The cute striped rug has a very thick, cushy rug pad underneath - just right for the little ones.

In the dining room, the bright pinks and greens are toned down with neutral accents – brown silk curtains and a brown painted ceiling with high-contrast bright white beams.

The silk curtains, a mix of Chinoiserie accents and Hepplewhite furnishings, a sparkly chandelier, and Kelly Wearstler's Imperial Trellis wallpaper gives this room a little glamour.

More pattern in the coffered ceiling.

White pumpkins are everywhere this year. I've always favored them to the orange, but they are usually hard to find here in Tampa.

The owner beautifully designed the new kitchen with all the modern conveniences, but it looks vintage enough to fit into the character of this home that was built in 1908.

I love the gooseneck faucet, ceiling height cabinetry and subway tile backsplash. A corner pantry door (out of view) is made of chicken wire, and the refrigerator doors are finished with chalkboard paint. The kitchen stretches all the way across the width of the house, providing tons of counter space and room for lots of barstools.

The coral-print orange wallpaper runs up the walls and over the ceiling in this powder room – for a cozy tented effect. And for a fun focal point, that asian-inspired chandelier hits the spot.

The sofa acts like a banqette in a little den off the kitchen. With expansive windows overlooking the pool and patio, this looks like a great spot for catching up on some reading, a little TV, or maybe even a catnap.

Pagoda-shaped tulipieres on the back deck ...

... and a pink tasseled and scalloped umbrella ... carry the interior theme outdoors.

The deck loungers carry the fretwork pattern outside, and old bricks used for the patio add rustic texture. Rather than finish their pool bottom in the customary white, the owners chose a gray finish, which gives the water its pretty deep blue color.


Next up, I'll show a peek of another favorite home on the tour.
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