Home Tour: Plantation, FL California Style Home

My stepdad, Joe, welcomed me into his home when I was 17 years old. Even though I lived in the home briefly, I have a lot of lasting memories. Over the years the house has been renovated and updated time and time again. The building of each project is mostly done by my step-dad and the decorating is mostly done by my mom. As my step-dad reaches retirement, I’m unsure how much longer I will be visiting their beautiful home. I wanted to start this home tour by interviewing my step-dad about his years of building experience and inspiration behind his home.

 

DDD: What’s your background in home improvement?

J: I grew up around home improvement because my dad was a carpenter. Being that my dad was a carpenter he slowly renovated the house, he put an addition onto the house, a utility room. I was the only son so I was the only one to help him. I felt pretty good as a kid because you feel a sense of accomplishment. When people needed something done, I would try. I was never afraid to try anything. When I was twenty years old, I got a job as a carpenter. They built houses and did rough framing.

DDD: This was in Michigan?

J: Yes. Then I got another job installing flooring. I did that for 30 years. 15 years full time. That involved going into houses that were remodeling and doing home improvement. Then I got married. My ex-wife’s father offered us a piece of land to build a house on and I said sure. I got the plans for the home in the newspaper.

DDD: What’s the style of your home?

J: California, we had a change of plans to have it meet Florida code.

 

DDD: What attracted you to that style?

J: I thought it was very modern at the time. It was very open.

DDD: Why build your own home?

J: Cost. I was told by my father in law that we could build this home. We were the contractors. I learned about electric, plumping, masonry, drywall from my father in law.

DDD: What is your favorite feature about this home?

J: All of the cedar. In the roof, in the trim, and the cedar cathedral ceilings.  The wood adds something more to the house.

 

 

 

 

DDD: I feel very lucky over the years to have parties here. Some that stick out are my 16^th birthday, your 50^th birthday, our rehearsal dinner, pregnancy announcement. Did you envision your home as a place for gathering?

J: I always hoped so. I felt like it was a good party place and I like to party.

DDD: What was your inspiration behind the outdoor living space?

J:  I think sports bars.

 

 

DDD: What has been the most fun project?

J: I’ve done everything in this house. ***starts listing everything that was not fun*** I enjoyed making the cabinets for the patio. For work, it was closest to fun as I was gonna get.

DDD: Which renovation did you do that you feel was a benefit to the home?

J: The patio roof.

 

 

DDD: What’s next for you?

J: To keep up with all the things that are breaking down.

DDD: What’s the next reno/project?

J: It depends on whether we stay living here. The pool, pull up the concrete and the deck.

 

DDD: What advice do you have for beginners in home renovations?

J: Don’t be afraid of a challenge. You learn by doing and by watching. Always ask for advice. Ask 20 different people because you will get different answers and pick the best. You’re no different than me, you can do anything I can do. Anybody can do anything.

I’m sitting at the kitchen breakfast bar after a dip in the pool. My mom is cutting up watermelon insisting she has no personal style. I disagree wholeheartedly as I attribute my thriftiness to her. I try to use my sewing and crafting skills in my home design, something I have watched her do for years.

DDD: How would you describe your style?

M: I try to have a beachy style.

DDD: Where do you think your decorating style comes from?

M: When I go on vacation I stay at beachy places. I want to have it at my house so I always feel like I’m on vacation.

 

 

 

 

DDD: What beachy places do you visit?

M: Anna Maria Island

DDD: Which room are you proudest of?

M: My living room is beach themed. It has a warm inviting feel to it.

 

 

 

 

DDD: Tell me about a home décor piece you made.

M: I made my curtains in the kitchen.

 

 

 

 

DDD: How can sewing impact your home design?

M: You can have one of a kind.

DDD: What is your favorite part about your home?

M: I probably like my kitchen the best because that’s where family gathers. It’s at the heart of the house.

DDD: What has been your favorite renovation?

M: Probably putting the windows in the living rooms because it brightens up that side of the house.

DDD: What’s something everyone must have in their home?

M: There should be a place to put your purse and personal items when you come home.

DDD: Finish these phrases:

You can never have too much __________ in your house.

M: comfortable seating for everyone

 

 

DDD: The last thing I bought was __________.

M: the rug that’s in your bathroom and the two beachy pictures in my bathroom

 

 

 

DDD: The last thing I made was _______________.

M: burp cloths, that big quilt

 

 

 

 

DDD: I need to get rid of _________.

M: I just got rid of a bunch of stuff. I need to get rid of my motorcycle, a set of dishes. I need to get stuff. There’s a lot of walls that have nothing on them. The room with the crib I’m going to redecorate.

 

DDD: What’s your next project for the house?

M: We’ve got 3 things we want to do: Put in hurricane impact windows, put in new front doors, and remodel our bathroom.

 

 

DDD: What makes a house a home is ________________.

M: the warmth of the family and all of the things you do together

Selfishly, my husband and I want them to stay in this house forever so we can make new memories in it with our son. This weekend will be the last visit we make before the baby comes. I can't wait to see how their new projects come out when we return next year!

 

Do you have a unique sense of style or a design element in your home you would love to share? Contact me for a home tour interview: drew@drewdanielledesign.com