In this world of fast and faster
I came upon a corner
that whispered calm and quiet
the peace of an era gone by...
Take a deep breath of warm salty air...
and join me on a tour of artist
retreat of a home and art studio.
Hers is a house sturdily built in the 1800's old old for Florida
survivor of many unforgiving hurricanes
was even moved across the street in the 1920's
I love a good survivor story
flanked by the Indian River to the east
and hugged by enormous century old live oaks
and twisting singing palms
the salty home as depicted plein air by artist Lori McNamara
A sweet 'guest house" cottage next door
was Julie's previous home
and currently lived in, and loved, by her artist mother...
It also houses a metal roof clad garage
and an outdoor shower
hidden in vines
Julie grew up in this small village
her art born between the railroad tracks and this river
It is the soul of so many of her paintings.
Inside, the handcrafted screen kitchen door creaks and slaps loudly
as it closes behind you
I particularly love theses pantry doors
original to the house, glass and all.
The kitchen once porch is bright...and cozy...and authentic
with homegrown herbs and tomatoes
ripening on the sill.
adjoining the kitchen
is the turquoise blue
of the home art studio
The livingroom is big and breezy
cloaked in windows, art, books, collections....and cats.
what more would one need?
Sheba
A third generation artist, her art is steeped in her surroundings
I love the painting of her Granny...
probably in this same river
in the blue first floor bedroom
Hugging the first floor is a wrap around porch
screened and tempting the river breeze
this is where dinner is served nightly
and sunrises are quietly witnessed
Upstairs the narrow century old stairway
is another two bedrooms and bath
and more art
and sleepy cats...
Willie
with those beautiful Dade county pine floors
and original hardware
Art and heart and home....
In a historical little village
Down by the river.
My blood pressure dropped 20 points.
