My Houzz: Heirlooms and Family Art Fill a 1920s Bungalow
John and Jamie Dombroski know all about delayed gratification. The New Yorkers bought a cozy cottage in Dade City, Florida, 32 years ago, but didn’t move in until recently, when they decided to make the Sunshine State their permanent home.
Before taking up residence in the longtime rental property, the couple (she teaches American history; he teaches chemistry) decided an update was in order. They revamped and revitalized the 1924 structure, while sticking firmly to a budget of just $30,000. With help from a friend, Harold Sample, John replaced the old knob-and-tube wiring, while Jamie tackled the home’s termite damage. The residence retains all of its original woodwork (except for the crown molding), as well as its heart pine floors, which were sanded down and covered with a coat of polyurethane.
It took about 10 months for the couple to achieve the relaxed and comfortable style they were after. With little money to spare, the Dombroskis relied on paint, artwork and family heirlooms to give the house personality and introduce the character they were after.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: John and Jamie Dombroski
Location: Dade City, Florida
Size: 988 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Year built: 1924
The home’s living room has a neutral palette of dark woods, whites and soft greens. A Windsor chair and bench underscore the feeling of traditional Americana that’s echoed in the corner cabinet built by John.
As a teacher of American history, Jamie appreciates the background of such works, and augments them with paintings by the Highwaymen — a group of self-taught African American artists who practiced in Florida from the 1950s to the ‘80s. An example is visible on the wall above the chair.
Cabinet: custom built; wall paint: Khaki, Ralph Lauren; Windsor chair, side table: Ethan Allen (no longer available); Windsor bench: Hitchcock Chair; pitcher: Sockerärt, Ikea
The combined living-dining area opens up to the front porch. Sunlight streaming through the doorway brings out the warmth in the newly refinished heart pine floors.
A trunk doubles as a living room coffee table. “The house lacks storage, so we use a lot of multipurpose boxes and baskets as a storage solution,” Jamie says.
A former dining table was conscripted as a side table, with heirloom antique wooden boxes placed underneath to add storage and a sense of history in keeping with the home’s period.
Sofa, chair, side table: Ethan Allen (no longer available); trunk coffee table: purchased at auction; wall paint: Khaki, Ralph Lauren
The dining table is surrounded by wicker seating. Beside the kitchen door sits a large antique brush box from Amsterdam, New York, that “still had bristles inside of it when we purchased it,” Jamie says. Atop it is an antique yarn bowl that was used on John’s family farm while he was growing up.
Brush box, bowl: antique; wall paint: Khaki, Ralph Lauren
Pottery from the couple’s travels lines the dining room’s curio cabinet. As a chemistry teacher, John enjoys collecting vintage flasks, which he proudly displays.
French Casement Cabinet in Weathered Oak Drifted: Restoration Hardware
The couple renovated the kitchen with the help of Home Depot. Their primary concern was to stay within budget; they finished the entire kitchen for about $5,000. “We used budget-friendly cabinets to keep the costs down,” says Jamie, whose scarlet wall paint helps distract the eye. The cabinets are lined with crocks and bowls from John’s family farm.
Wall paint: Victorian Red, Glidden
The kitchen is decorated with family heirlooms and artwork by Jamie’s mother. The abstract chicken print above the valance is one of Jamie’s favorites. She acquired it from her sister while in college.
Hutch, chair: Ballard Designs (no longer available)
The master bedroom includes more artwork by Jamie’s mother and a simple four-poster bed with all-white bedding to keep the mood airy and light.
The master bath is quaint and charming, with its original wood flooring and claw-foot tub. The Dombroskis painted the tub, and fitted an old buffet cabinet with a Mexican bowl sink purchased on one of their trips to the Southwest.
A vintage mirror is paired with additional art from Jamie’s mother. The Dombroskis installed a tin ceiling in the room to add interest and charm.
The home’s main hallway becomes an independent suite when the kitchen’s double French doors are closed. It includes a guest room, bathroom and exterior door, offering guests privacy. All of the items in this space were handed down from John’s and Jamie’s families.
The guest room includes a Murphy bed, a seating area and a ladder to the attic that drops down with the push of a button. Collected artwork and framed family photos fill the walls.
Jamie calls her garden a “Darwin yard” and says that the plants that survive are pretty hardy, considering she doesn’t do much to them.
A salvaged door and sidelights anchor one corner of the garden, defining the perimeter while affording a teasing view of the vegetation beyond. The homeowners are fascinated by the history of the Comanche tribe and bought the street sign on a trip out West.
John made the Americana-style bench on the front porch, where a pair of Adirondack chairs flank a side table made from a large crock.
Lush grand oaks surround the bungalow. The couple replaced the windows and door. “Design your home for you,” says Jamie. “Know how long you are planning on living in your home; consider your age and home’s location. If you are thinking of flipping, leave your personality at the door!”
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