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Lynette Walker-the ultimate gift

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I say “gift” but what Lynette Walker did for her elderly parents was indeed a sacrifice.

I first met Lynette in Ernie White’s showroom where we picked out everything for her mom and dad’s new home.  Lynette was there not only to help with the selections, but because she was building this home for her parents as a gift.

Lynette grew up appreciating the value of a dollar.  She and her 4 siblings were all raised in a single wide trailer in Plant City, FL.  That trailer, needless to say, has seen better days.  After over 40 years, the trailer was literally falling apart but her sweet parents were reluctant to move as they felt it was still good enough to live in and why spend the money.

Well, Lynette insisted that they would live in something nice.  A new trailer would have done the trick but Lynette built them a brand new simple/smaller scaled home.  She wanted them to have nice textiles like wood floors and wood cabinets but she didn’t stop there.

She contacted me about giving them a brand new great room/kitchen….with new furniture, accessories….complete with all the “fixn’s”, as they say in Plant City.

I found a set of decorative plates and Tiffany lamps that Mary (Lynette’s mom) liked and used them for inspiration.  I wanted this home to be about Mary and Fred and not anything current or trendy.

Lynette took them out shopping.  It was a surprise to them as Mom and I had a only a few hours but were plugging in the last cord when they arrived.

It was the sweetest moment.  Mary cried…we all cried.…Lynette captured it on video.

It’s these moments that make it all worth it.

Lynette has thanked me over and over and one of her sister’s even called me.  What I want to do is thank them.  Who gets this kind of opportunity?

Lynette- I’ve learned a lot from you through this experience.  Your selfless heart is one to not only be admired but also duplicated.  Your giving husband should be praised just the same.

Your gift to your parents has also blessed me.

 

 

Fall Parade of Homes; Ernie White Wins; Lake James

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Ernie White Construction once again took home the prize for a home on the north side of Lakeland in a 55+ community, Lake James. Located off Banana Rd., this home was nestled between friendly neighbors, a huge lake and walking trails. Most communities of the such are significantly scaled down; not this one. Ernie makes quaint homes full of detail, trim and all the extras.

A home always shows better if it is staged with furnishings and accessories so I was extremely happy when this home actually sold during the parade of homes. With a putty, orange and gray color palette, this home didn’t have an exact style, just sheer yummy. The open floor plan allowed for the farmhouse table, stately wood cabinets and clean-lined sofas to all complement each other while be viewed together. The master retreat was a soft sanctuary of creams, blues and blue/grays. With nature inspired prints and vintage sconces, this room was the perfect combination of masculine meets feminine.

Congratulations to ?? who will soon take occupancy of this lovely home as well as many of the furniture items.

All of the remaining items plus a few extras to give it a new pop, were moved a few houses down which is now a spec & model home for Lake James. Completely different floor plan so this home looked very different. Thanks to my assistant, Amanda Bass, who helped me do this house in half a day! She is amazing and a great help.

 

Spring Parade of Homes; Ernie White

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This year for Ernie White’s spring parade entry, I decided to do something a little different. I actually rented out all of my main living furniture to Ernie White. My family was really sitting on lawn chairs for a while!

My furniture felt so cozy and welcome in this Highland in the Woods home of Mindy Miller and Jevin Herman. What a great couple to get to work with! Mindy is hilarious with her dry humor and Chicago charm. Yes I say charm because anyone who is not from Polk County sometimes just feels neat and trendy. Mindy has such a clean, casual modern flair that I adored. Basically it was all geared around a home conducive to raising her two adorable boys. These boys are the most mannerly boys I’ve ever met! She’s a super educated woman who is taking the time off of work to raise her boys and raise them well. She’s my biggest fan.

 

Ernie’s construction here was so clean and open. His carpentry work on the office walls was flawless not to mention the tilework from the main patterned floors to the mix of patterns in the baths. The back porch will be the highlight of entertaining for years to come with the stained wood ceiling, stone fireplace and stately pool by Pool Blue.

 

Now, my furniture that I rented out is a mixture of Mingama’s old console or a treasure I found and redid from the side of the road; pieces given to my husband and I over time and some you just make work because they have a story. Seeing my furniture in this home was an extra treat that made me want to build an Ernie White home just like it!