Home is where the heart is, and a lot of people spend endless hours making their homes reflect their personal tastes. Homes in Florida have a long tradition of their own trends and styles unlike anywhere else in the country. A truly incredible example of this is the Bonnet House in Fort Lauderdale.
The owners were artists who spent decades, beginning in the 1930s, creating a Caribbean plantation-style house. Its elegant architecture is covered in bright blues and yellows that complement the subtropical oasis.
The 35-acre grounds actually contain several different ecosystems and the area is one of the last examples of a natural barrier island in the region.
Highlights of the home include orchids that hang throughout, as well as an orchid showroom with a collection that rotates according to the season. The owners, Frederic and Evelyn Bartlett also had a great love of animals, which is reflected in their art, furnishings, and actual animals that fill the estate. Squirrel monkeys roam freely, and two swans, a pair of parrots, and a cockatiel live on site.
The photos below give just a glimpse of what you’ll find on a tour of this historic home. Few places combine so many different interests. If you love art, animals, history, orchids, architecture or interior design, you should definitely check out the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens.
Entrance
Flickr/Cliff
The rear of the main house is the view of the home most people will be familiar with.
Flickr/Cliff
Facebook/Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
Bright colors reflect the Caribbean plantation style.
Peter W. Cross via Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA
Orchids hang throughout the grounds.
Peter W. Cross via Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA
The Courtyard
Flickr/Cliff
Peter W. Cross via Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA
The art, murals, and furnishings throughout the home, including painted ceilings, reflect the artists’ love of animals.
Flickr/Tach_RedGold&Green
Peter W. Cross via Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA
All of the art and furnishings you will see here are original to the home.
Peter W. Cross via Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA
Peter W. Cross via Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA
The couple’s love of animals went beyond their art. The grounds are home to squirrel monkeys, swans, a pair of parrots, and a cockatiel.
Flickr/Mike’s Birds
Peter W. Cross via Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA
The Shell Museum
Larry Singer via Facebook/Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
The Orchid Showroom
Larry Singer via Facebook/Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
Have you ever visited the Bonnet House? What are your favorite historic or artistic sites in Florida?
Flickr/Cliff
Facebook/Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
Peter W. Cross via Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA
Flickr/Tach_RedGold&Green
Flickr/Mike’s Birds
Larry Singer via Facebook/Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
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