Earlier this month Lucy and I took a trip down to Southwest Florida to visit my parents who are enjoying a lovely “winter” down there. I’ve taken the last couple of weeks since we’ve been back home to get caught up (as if that’s every really possible). Part of that time has been working on the renovations around the farmhouse and planning future projects. While on vacation and away from home, it gave me a different perspective on what I’d love to do at the farmhouse and let me draw inspiration from what I saw around me. Whether it’s seeing different stores, spending time in nature, going on day trips, or visiting some of our favourite museums – they are things to spark your creativity all around you.
One such place that really got the gears turning about our farmhouse was when we took a trip to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Historic Downtown Fort Myers. I’d been there before four years ago, but I was looking at it from a different lens now that we have our own century home. It is always fun to see a house that is of a similar era as our own.
This picture of some of the Edison women hanging out on the porch got me thinking about the people before us who may have enjoyed our own front porch.
The beautiful gardens and greenery got me excited for spring coming back soon too. Although I did come back home to cold weather, it gave me that hope for what’s to come.
The light bright interiors of the Edison home could have been from a magazine right now.
These built-ins are similar to what I’d love to do in our living room someday.
We’re also debating adding a fireplace and seeing this large brick one got me thinking about what would fit with the era of our house.
This fireplace in Edison’s office may be closer to what I’m thinking of doing. White woodwork and a brick interior.
Can you imagine the conversations that the Edisons and Fords had around this table?
Another great fireplace in the Edisons’ bedroom.
If you took out the wicker and dusty rose florals, this could almost be something you’d see now, right down to the retro fan and robin egg’s blue dresser.
The simplicity of the kitchen is something I’d love to do in our kitchen. I’m hoping to go through all our dishes soon and really pare everything down.
The Fords’ winter home next door is a lovely craftsman. You can see more pictures of it in my post from four years ago.
A pantry full of mason jars and retro tins.
If I could ever find a hoosier like this one, I’d be over the moon. Couldn’t you just see it in our kitchen?
They were just setting up a wedding on the day we were there and it got me reminiscing about our own wedding, right down to the lush flowers and handpainted wooden signs.
There was even some inspiration for our upcoming second season of Cloverhill Flowers.
I’m so glad we took the time to pop over and see it again. If you’re in the Fort Myers, Florida area, the Edison and Ford Winter Estates are definitely worth a visit.
That was great! And very inspiring for me too. This is the first thing I’ve read this morning – haven’t even had coffee yet – and it really made my day!
That’s lovely to hear, Gloria! Thanks for stopping by 🙂