TL;DR
Designer James Farmer and Skolfield Homes completed a gut renovation of a four-bedroom ranch-style home in Winter Park, Florida, for a family of four. The project retained the home’s general architectural style while reworking the kitchen and moving the staircase to make it a living-room focal point.
Designer James Farmer and Skolfield Homes carried out a gut renovation of a four-bedroom ranch-style home in Winter Park, Florida, reshaping its kitchen and moving its staircase while keeping the house’s general architectural style. The project was designed for a young family of four, with changes intended to make the home work for everyday life and entertaining.
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The house sits in an established lakeside neighborhood with mature live oaks and existing landscaping. Farmer described the area as “old-school Florida with a touch of Mayberry” and characterized the original house as humble and straightforward. Rather than replace its overall style, he and Skolfield Homes focused on substantial interior changes.
The largest layout changes were a complete overhaul of the galley kitchen and relocating the staircase from the side of the house to the middle of the living room. Farmer called the redesigned kitchen a “glorified galley.” A former screened-in porch became a breakfast room beside it, and the front entry was given a more active role, including a bar intended for gatherings.
The finished home has four bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms. Its interiors combine patterned and textured materials with details associated with Florida design, including floral wallpaper, palm motifs, gold accents, trellis work and pecky cypress. Brick and wood flooring, along with the former porch’s airy treatment, help connect indoor rooms with the home’s outdoor setting.
A Florida Ranch, Reimagined with Timeless Character
James Farmer and Skolfield Homes reshaped a Winter Park family home while keeping its ranch style. The changes connect everyday living and entertaining spaces.
A More Connected Layout
The renovation focused on how the family cooks, gathers and entertains.
A complete overhaul created what Farmer called a “glorified galley.”
Relocated to the living room’s center, it becomes a focal point.
The former screened porch now sits beside the kitchen.
Formal and Family Spaces
The layout gives gatherings and everyday routines distinct places.
- Front parlor arranged around a bar
- No television in the front parlor
- Family room for less formal use
- Breakfast area beside the kitchen
Florida Character, Room by Room
Classic motifs and varied palettes bring local references into the interiors.
Natural textures
Brick, wood flooring, trellis work and pecky cypress connect the rooms with their setting.
Pattern and polish
Floral wallpaper, palm motifs and gold accents give the rooms distinct character.
Original footprint
Corner cabinets and wainscoting remain, paired with custom wallpaper and a lacquered ceiling.
A Ranch Layout Built for Family Life
The renovation shows how a familiar ranch plan can be substantially updated without discarding its basic architectural character. Moving the staircase to the center of the living room changes how the interior is organized, while the kitchen and former porch changes connect cooking, eating and entertaining areas more directly.
For the family, the design balances daily function with formal entertaining. The front parlor has no television and is arranged around a bar, while the family room and breakfast area serve less formal needs. The project’s mix of classic motifs and durable-looking materials also reflects Farmer’s stated aim of creating a home that can suit the family as it grows; the source does not provide independent assessments of the materials’ longevity or performance.
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Preserving the Home’s Florida Character
Farmer’s approach kept the home’s general architectural style intact while changing key interior features. The residence was described as a straightforward ranch in a mature Winter Park neighborhood, a setting that informed the use of palms, trellis details, brick and wood, and a coastal palette.
The rooms use distinct treatments rather than a single uniform scheme. The front parlor combines peach, robin’s-egg blue and butterscotch; the family room pairs terracotta and emerald with pale millwork; and the sunroom retains an alfresco feel through trellis panels and white wicker furniture. The dining room kept its original footprint and corner cabinets, but added custom wallpaper and a lacquered ceiling, according to Farmer.
Farmer has described the project’s guiding idea as “Traditional with a twist.” The source also connects his preference for classic finishes and prints with his book, Home Again: A Return to Gracious Interiors. These details are the designer’s account of the project; the supplied material does not include comments from the homeowners or an independent review.
““I would describe the area as old-school Florida with a touch of Mayberry.””
— James Farmer, designer
Project Costs and Timeline Unreported
The supplied material does not state when the renovation was completed, what it cost, or how long construction took. It also does not identify the homeowners or provide their views on the result. The description and design rationale come from the project source and Farmer; no separate verification of the renovation details is provided.
Although the source says Farmer encouraged the family to invest in materials and pieces expected to last, it does not specify budgets, product testing, maintenance needs or how the finishes will perform over time. No information is given about permits, construction challenges or changes to the home’s exterior.
No Further Project Milestones Listed
The source presents the renovation as a completed project and does not announce a future construction phase, opening or public event. It also gives no schedule for additional work. The next available developments would depend on further information from Farmer, Skolfield Homes or the homeowners, including any account of the renovation’s cost, duration and longer-term use.
Key Questions
Where is the renovated home?
It is in Winter Park, Florida, in an established neighborhood by a lake, according to the supplied project description.
Who worked on the renovation?
Designer James Farmer worked with Skolfield Homes. The source identifies Farmer’s firm as James Farmer Designs.
What were the main layout changes?
The project included a complete kitchen overhaul, relocation of the staircase from the side of the house to the center of the living room, and conversion of a former screened porch into a breakfast room.
How large is the home?
The source lists the ranch-style home as having four bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms. It does not give the home’s square footage.
How much did the renovation cost?
The supplied material does not report a project budget or total renovation cost.
Source: housebeautiful.com
