We Bought a 1934 Historic Home in Central Florida

The moment we walked into this house, we knew we had found something rare — a home with a soul.

Built in 1934 and located in a historic neighborhood in Central Florida, the house has the kind of architectural detail that’s becoming harder and harder to find.

There are original hardwood floors with beautiful inlay detailing, a coffered ceiling that immediately caught my eye, and a wraparound porch that gives the home its plantation-style character.

In a world of white boxes, homes like this stand out.

Why This House

I’ve always been drawn to homes with character and architectural detail. Before working in interiors, I studied and worked in fashion design in New York City, where I developed a love for layering textures, mixing patterns, and thinking about how elements come together to create something expressive.

That same perspective naturally carried into how I see interiors today.

When I walked into this house, I could immediately imagine what it could become — not by completely changing it, but by revealing the character that was already there.

The Reality

Of course, like most older homes, it comes with its challenges.

There are finishes that need updating, areas that need repairing, and spaces that need to be rethought so they function better for modern living.

But that’s also part of what makes the process exciting.

Renovating an older home is a balance between respecting the original character and thoughtfully updating it.

The Plan

We’re taking the renovation step by step, starting with the first floor.

One of the first things we tackled was removing the popcorn ceilings, which immediately made the rooms feel brighter and more architectural.

For now, we’re focusing on the first-floor ceilings, and we’ll continue upstairs once the first floor of the renovation is much further along.

There’s still a lot ahead of us, and I’ll be sharing the design decisions, unexpected challenges, and progress along the way.

Follow the Renovation

This house has a lot of work ahead of it, but it also has incredible potential.

Peter and I are slowly bringing it back to life, one project at a time. Restoring an older home is a process, but it’s also incredibly rewarding to see the character of the house come back with every step.

I’ll be documenting the renovation here in the Journal, sharing the design decisions, unexpected challenges, and everything we learn along the way.