1950's Florida Vernacular

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Permalink Reply by kathy on September 13, 2010 at 4:15pm

Hi, I own the house I grew up in since i was 2. It was built in 1958, but it is in the New Orleans area, and is a brick home. Everything is original in it. I lived in Tampa for 26 years and owned three homes that we refurbished. I assume your home is a block style home, possibly with stucco.

What kind of ideas are you looking for? Internal design? External change? One of our houses was a plain block home with a raised floor. To give it more external appeal, we smooth stuccoed over it and added rough stone corners. It totally changed the look of the house.

Right now, I'm trying to decide what to do with the wood floors and trim in my 1958 home. I sanded the floor in one room and can't decide whether to keep them the same color or go with a lighter finish. Also, I need to rip out the old orange carpet and vinyl flooring. The terrazo under it is cracked and I'm not sure if it is worth repairing. I also have an originak okeef & merrit stove and oven. My dad took apart the oven and never put it back together, though otherwise it is in excellent condition. I found a website that refurbishes these.
Additionally I have those aluminum awning windows and would like to keep them and possibly found a website that has the glazing seals for these. You probably have these too unless they have been replaced.

Also, if you have any pictures, that would help too.

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Permalink Reply by susan k. cooper on September 13, 2010 at 8:02pm

I've attached a picture. It's an elevated wood frame. But we do have the awnings.
I'm more interested in the outside at this point and making it look period. I just can't find any books out there that deal with florida architecture of the late 40's and early 50's.
It has tongue and groove ceilings and heart pine for the floors. The inside will have to be totally re-done.

Attachments:

• front elevation2.jpg, 699 KB

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Permalink Reply by jane on September 16, 2010 at 10:46pm

You are ahead of the curve.
Your house won't be 'fashionable' for a few more years and then the magazines will catch up with you. You may need to be the one to start the blog and bring Florida Vernacular houses to the internet

I frequent second hand book stores and library book sales, also estate sales, looking for period books and catalogs. The 1950's books on up-to-date housing are fun, but not popular, which means they are cheap!
Decorating books and ladies' magazines from the period may have details in the background of the article on 'the perfect table setting for that summer outdoor party' that give you inspiration.

Then you can drive around the neighborhood and photograph what you like. I often go looking when I am thinking about a specific period or detail. Open houses for properties that are for sale are also a good way to look and learn.

I hope you post more pictures and write about what you are doing.

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Permalink Reply by susan k. cooper on September 16, 2010 at 11:11pm

Thank you. I hadn't thought about blogging about it, sounds like fun. I'm off to the library tomorrow to see what the "local" section has on hand.

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