PERSONAL TOUR 46
Bungalow beauty NINA LOCKE S HISTORIC HOME OFFERS A WINSOME WELCOME TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY BY CHRISTY SMITH Bungalows are an intrinsic part of Winter Park s history. Along the city s treelined streets there s a mixture of those jewel-box treasures and sprawling modern manses. Nina Locke s bungalow sits on a tidy street amid similarly quaint homes in the College Quarter historic district. Landscaping punctuates the home s deep maize exterior, a color that adds a current flavor to this vintage home that was built in the 1920s. At the entrance is what Nina calls her morning room. Originally an open porch, its glass door, floor-to-ceiling windows and delicate seating help maintain its original airy ambience. It s nice because I can sit here and watch all the people go by, she says. It s just wonderful, says Nina Locke about her historic Winter Park bungalow. 47
The formal living room (top) exudes a quiet French ambience, and ancestral portraits dress the walls; a work Locke s grandmother painted hangs over an antique commode (above). The functional kitchen (left) was fashioned from several rooms during a remodel. 48
The cozy library has built-in shelves and sink-into plaid chairs (top left). A small guest bedroom off the living room (bottom left) is elegant in its simplicity. A passthrough window in the dining room (above right) makes entertaining easy. CHANGES FOR THE BETTER The morning room opens to a small dining area. When Nina and her late husband, Jim, moved into the 1,776-square-foot home nine years ago, they added a built-in china cabinet and shelf, which now overflow with treasured trinkets. An antique table anchors the space, and an intricately carved antique mirror adds dimension to an otherwise hidden corner of the room. During their remodel, the Lockes changed the living room and kitchen. The home originally just had a lot of little rooms, so we took out some walls, Nina explains. The living room was enlarged and the brick fireplace was renewed; now it s dressed in elegant tile and white trim. However, the Lockes kept many of the home s original treasures, including windows and wood floors. Tall baseboards still run throughout the home. The living room has a formal French ambience. This is a room where ladies have tea. Fine antique furniture graces the room, and shades of rose and sea foam bring an air of softness to the décor. Painted portraits grace the walls. Over an exquisite antique commode that Nina s father bought in France hangs a work her grandmother painted. Two paintings of Locke ancestors are over the fireplace. The husband-and-wife portraits were painted in 1792 and remain in their original frames. Remarkably, a chair that once belonged to the couple now sits under their portraits. The kitchen was another part of the home s update. An ill-placed laundry room and half-bath were removed to make the kitchen more functional, and a skylight was added. It s now very spacious and enjoyable to work in, Nina says. Whitewashed cabinetry offers plentiful storage. Baskets and pans are hung on an overhead pot rack. And a large pass-through window allows diners to put their dishes in the sink without having to enter the kitchen. It s very convenient, she confirms. READY FOR GUESTS Off the living room is a tiny guest room that s elegant in its simplicity. The Lockes borrowed square footage from this area to provide more space to the living room. 49
Designed as a studio, the 400-square foot guesthouse (above and opposite page top) offers room for friends and family. Toile covers the walls from floor to ceiling, and matching bedspreads cover twin beds. Locke holds a Tareyton cigarette ad she and her husband posed for years ago (below). The master bedroom in the main house (opposite page below) was added when the Lockes bought the house 9 years ago. We did debate adding this to the living room, Nina says. But I didn t want to get rid of the bedroom entirely. The library is down the hall. French doors open to the outside, allowing plenty of light to stream through. The room is a serene shade of fern green. Built-in shelves are filled with books, while cozy plaid armchairs provide a comfortable space to sit and read. Picture shelves hold decades of family memories on what Nina calls her gallery wall. The framed portraits include a vintage Herbert Tareyton cigarette ad that Nina and her husband posed for years ago in New York s Central Park. This is one of my favorite spots, she says. It s a cozy room. The little library is my favorite because of the family photographs and books. It s a comfortable, cozy place to sit and have my family and friends around me. BLENDING OLD AND NEW The master suite was added when the Lockes bought the home. Its design blends seamlessly with the original house. The walls rosy hue gives the room a feminine, genteel ambience. Vintage photos are displayed, and a cozy chair sits in the corner, ready for a good book. A small deck, accessed through a glass door, was added outside the bedroom. The home sits on a long, deep lot. A brick walkway leads from the kitchen, past the master bedroom s deck, to a large patio. A brick fountain adds pleasant background sound. A gazebo sits to the side, waiting for guests to sit and talk. A 400-square-foot guesthouse is adjacent to the main house. Whiteand-blue toile wallpaper lines every wall from floor to ceiling. Matching toile bedspreads cause the twin beds to virtually disappear. 50
CREATING INSPIRING SPACES WITH THE FINEST DESIGNERS & BUILDERS. From conception to completion,tayjoley Interiors has the knowledge, the resources and the experienced staff to bring your style ideas to life. Remodels New Kitchens Media Rooms Vacation Home Furnishings Pre-construction Interior design services & much more CALL FOR YOUR FREE DESIGN CONSULTATION My granddaughter calls this toile hall, Nina says with a chuckle. The guesthouse kitchen area is a small step-down from the living room. Warm-toned wood cabinetry provides storage while a bar sink, rather than a full-size sink saves counter space. Shuttered windows add a quaint feel. A full-size bathroom offers roominess where it matters. The guesthouse, which was designed as a studio, has provided extra space for friends and family who may want to stay for a day or an extended time. In fact, her granddaughter has expressed a desire to move into toile hall. That would ensure Nina continues to have plenty of family around her, as one of her daughters lives next door. It s just one more thing Nina loves about her bungalow. I like the fact that I m close to my daughter and son-in-law, and I m close to my church, she says. I like that it s in a historic district and that I can walk to everything down on Park Avenue. It s just wonderful! Caring For You LIKE FAMILY. We specialize in caring for the elderly and loved ones with special needs from a little care to constant care. Serving Central Florida since 1990. Licensed and insured/bonded Nursing Agency regulated by The Agency for Health Care Administration (Zero Deficiencies). All Caregivers background checked, verified training as CNA/HHA, physicals and in-service requirements met. #NR3010096 For locations near you call or visit us online 407-682-7758 www.grannynannies.com 51