Americana Overhaul

Florida homeowners spend several years painstakingly reviving a 1928 fixer-upper, filling it with a personalized blend of primitive and farmhouse decor, plus a generous helping of flag-waving style.

Beth and Brad Winkler had long dreamed of buying an old house and fixing it up to suit their Americana tastes. But when the perfect opportunity arose four years ago, the timing was all wrong. They weren’t even living in the same state at the time. Beth was in Marietta, Georgia, where she was seeing their daughter through her senior year of high school and closing out her late mother’s estate. Brad was six hours away in Weirsdale, Florida, where the couple had bought a business and would eventually relocate.

While in Florida, Brad found a 2,000-square-foot bungalow built in 1928. Bank-owned and vacant for five years, the home was priced right. However, it needed a tremendous amount of work. Vandals had stolen fixtures and appliances, wildlife had moved in, the decorating was garish, and the roof and mechanical systems were in dire condition. Despite Beth’s many concerns, Brad assured her that he could do most of the work himself and she ultimately agreed to the purchase.

Left: The Winklers added new white fencing and support columns to brighten the brick front porch and extend a neighborly welcome. Opposite: Family room symmetry is achieved by balancing matched chairs covered in a heritage print with a display cupboard and large George Washington portrait. The slim side table, Uncle Sam lamp and wall-mounted commemorative plates form a vertical divider. Small crocks, toy trucks and military keepsakes get a space to shine inside the wall cabinet.