The Casa Feliz Historic Museum just got an almost $2 million renovation.
Shown above is the "happy house's" modernized kitchen, done by S & W Kitchens Inc.
Photos courtesy of Frank Roark
Who says that latest remodel you've been dreaming of cannot come true? Just because
folks are more strapped for cash doesn't mean that your homes need to look it. Take a couple tips from one of Winter Park's
oldest homes receiving a recent facelift.
Casa Feliz, the "happy house" located at 656 N. Park Ave., has seen a lot
of wear and tear since its construction in 1933 by famed architect James Gamble Rogers II. Fashioned to appear like an old
Spanish farmhouse, the home boasts a rustic feel made real by small imperfections added purposefully to the design,
such as the sagging roof and broken colonnades. Yet even the most well-built homes need a little attention every
now and then.
Cathy Bame, marketing representative for the Westye Group, is one of several locals dedicating
her time to restoring Casa Feliz, a project that has consumed more than $1.9 million, mostly through donations,
over several years. Bame and designer Bill Burke, of S & W Kitchens Inc., worked with the house's original
blueprints to rebuild the kitchen area to be both historically accurate and modernly practical to the caterers
and event planners that make Casa Feliz their temporary home.
Though the specially crafted cabinets, donations
from the Omega company, and imported tile backsplash may be a bit too pricey for the average consumer, Bame said she
hopes visitors will be inspired to see their old rooms in new ways.
"You can transform your home," she said.
Burke said the price tag for the Casa Feliz kitchen, which comprises
about 210 square feet, was $95,000.
Don't let the number get you down. Burke (who recently remodeled his home kitchen
for much less) offered this advice.
Tips for Remaking Your Kitchen … or any other room:
Start with a budget. This is
perhaps the most important step of all. Typically, a kitchen represents about 10-15 percent of a home's total value.
Decide how much you're willing – or able – to spend first, as this should dictate all your other choices.
Prioritize. What's most important to you — granite counter tops or the stainless industrial fridge? Sure it's easy
to mark everything a "must have," but what do you see distinctly when you imagine your perfect kitchen? Make sure to spend
your money where it means most to you. Don't skimp on the things
you really want, after all isn't that why you're remodeling in the first place? As for those things lower on your list …
Consider lower-priced brands. It may seem like basic knowledge, but searching for a more generic product can be a
true art. Omega may be the cabinet of choice for Casa Feliz, but its parent company, MasterBrand, offers similar products
at different cost levels. Don't just look for the lowest dollar, consider the source as well.
Be patient. Remember that a remodeling can be a work in progress, even over several years. Just because you had to
settle on the B-brand cutlery now, doesn't mean you're locked into it forever. Go back to Step 1, and begin saving up
for a time when you can bring everything together exactly as you want it.
By Matt Morrison Guest Reporter - Winter Park Observer