Saturday, March 27, 2010

Old tired beautiful soul …

“all I can be is me, whoever that is…”

~Bob Dylan

Today we visited the home of one of the larger than life historic characters woven into our town’s history…Do you have one of those families?

Creative, imaginative, Doers, thinkers, makers

…all wrapped up in a beautiful bit of odd.

In our Town it was Waldo Sexton.His home is Just up the road.

Built without an architect…or a plan…

And as old as it gets for Florida…built in 1917.

Sexton was a man who was not afraid to render an opinion… and who never hesitated to embroider a story.

He apparently loved his martinis and women,

bells and things from the sea

...he possessed a compelling urge to create

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And create he did…and as his grandson said today…

“Any way he could make a buck from a dayum yankee…he would.”

By 1917 he had planted over 100,000 citrus trees in the area.

He helped to create McKee Tropical Jungle that had over

100,000 visitors a year in it’s hey day.

He had a penchant for old wood, wrought iron, spanish tile and collectibles.

...And would often salvage the works from his friend Addison Mizner’s spanish styled Palm Beach mansions.

His home did not disapoint

his eclectic nature was everywhere.

Pecky cypress ceilings…

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Collected…

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Homemade…

home found.

gathered.

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It is currently lived in by his grandson…and was host to a local plant show…plant arranging show.

lucky us.

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Ya know…

I am still so smitten with Florida's tropical's

right outside our door…

willing to be bent and stapled…

and still maintaining their tropical cool.

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Waldo…being the dad that he was built a tree house...

that turned into a house house

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Every bit as quirky as the main house

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So full of fun and funk

authentic.

sea swept

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No pretention.

Just

timeworn…beautiful... in that old soul kinda way

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Yep.

old tired soul character.

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My favorite kind.

44 comments:

ashlina {the decorista} said...

wow. that is a whole lotta gorgeousness! i love it!

happy weekend my sweet.

Pam Kersting said...

Oh WoW! Would love to go there too!

Jules said...

This looks like a house that needs serious investigation! The images were fascinating

rjerdee said...

A great day, you had! Wish I could have been there with you...lots of great vignettes and textures and like you say, old. Thanks for sharing, Linda.

Jessica @ Lavender and Lilies said...

What beautiful pictures!

anita said...

as much as i love tropicals, i have to say i like this quirky guy and his life long creation called home.

i love mizners architecture, have studied it and walked it in palm beach and boca and he was a visionary extrodinaire! cool post

vintage girl at heart said...

Wonderful li'l trip you took us on today.....we lived near there not too long ago..wonder if our paths ever crossed??
Miss that Florida tropical scenery sometimes...

Tonia Hobbs said...

Nice story. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

Oh Linda!
Thank you for this tour!!

I could live in the tree house...for sure. What an amazing venue for those tropical flower SCULPTURES!!

Jane (aka the girl in the brick house) said...

I adore all those tropical plants and your photos - they are lovely!

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

I love it, Linda. Not only because of it's wonderful beauty but because of the story. That's the best...a house with a story!

kj said...

that was a terrific tour.

you tell a good tale, linda, you and that seeing eye....

love
kj

Ivy Lane said...

awwee... a little field trip to get me on my way today! Thanks! :)

Cher' Shots said...

Thanks once again for sharing a bit of your corner of the world. I loved the journey ~ I could easily transplant my body into that setting!

Kristin said...

I love it! I love the way you see beauty!

jenna ♥ a little blue said...

all of them ~ beautiful!!

red ticking said...

this is simply amazing... great post! xx

Sniff said...

I envy you all the things tropical. Love all the plants and the flowers - just fresh and green all over. And the house really looks like a great character lived there.

Must put Florida on the list of my places to visit. :)

Cheryl said...

beautiful captures!!

Maya @ Completely Coastal said...

I would love to see this home in person..., the plants are just gorgeous, nothing like what we have here up north (ha).

Acanthus and Acorn said...

Every image...so full of life! I really enjoyed this man's unique style!

Cobalt Violet said...

Love the unique grooviness of this place!
Very cool, Linda. Thanks for the fabulous tour!

Anonymous said...

what a pompous beauty you show us...

agneta, sweden

Sally@DivineDistractions said...

what a fun adventure into one man's world of wonder. Beautiful details!

Karena said...

Amazing what a grand tour of botanical wonders!

Karena
Art by Karena

Renée Finberg said...

i would love to see this place.

i can't help mentioning the sink with the great tile, and the faucets that are wall mounted...
i love that.
sinks wouldn't get so funky with the faucets on the wall.
right?

xx

Melissa said...

I loved every bit of the tour but absolutely adore the miniature house and garden at the very end!

Renae Moore said...

Beautiful....you captured it well and a great tour!
xx

Seagrass Interiors said...

Amazing! I love quirky houses!

Melissa

Jen Kershner said...

Just amazing! Gorgeous! All that patina and texture and lushness. Yum!

Mango Gal said...

Such an amazing home! Wow!

Kathysue said...

What an interesting man and his home shows how quirky and talented he was. Loved the images and the tropical florals were gorgeous. The last picture was a favorite of mine also. Did you see my post on Fairy Gardens, I think you would really like it, if you have a chance go and take a peek. I think I need a lot more fairy gardens in my yard. Happy Tuesday,Kathysue

Vix said...

What a personality-filled place (and I mean that in a good way, ha). I bet you didn't want to leave!

The cypress ceilings are gorgeous, if a bit expected...but so many other design touches really speak to the owner's strong sense of style. Agree that the treehouse appeals on so many levels and that I could live there happily.

Thanks for sharing his story and your images!

Jane said...

What a beautiful home! It is truly fascinating. I'd love to have the opportunity to explore it...
Jane (artfully graced)

Marija said...

The old doorknob and backplate are my favorite. Talk about soul! Marija

Splendid Willlow said...

How fun! A home with a heart and lots of personality! How NOT boring!

Love your descriptions and obeservations, girl.

And the tree house! Talk about nostalgia!

Cyber hug to you my friend, Mon

La Dolfina said...

That was an amazing home and tour!
I've never been to Florida but I'm dying to visit one day.
That was such a special tour... I'd rather tour a unique home like that over a decorator show house any day.
Thanks again for bringing us along :)

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