Casa Feliz Project

NKBA Central Florida Chapter Members and Guest were introduced to the the completed kitchen and butlers pantry in the historic Casa Feliz home museum in Winter Park during the Sept. 24th Chapter Meeting.

For information on the Casa Feliz visit www.casafeliz.us/

Casa Feliz Project Featured in the Orlando Sentinel

Click this link to read the article: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/orl-casa-feliz-restoration-092809,0,2863162.story

-Central Florida Chapter of the National Kitchen & Bath Association teams up with local craftsmen and artists for restoration of historical museum home, Casa Feliz-

WINTER PARK, Fl. - The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) has teamed up with leading local companies, craftsmen and the Winter Park community for a $75,000 kitchen restoration of the historical museum home, Casa Feliz.

Built during the Great Depression, Casa Feliz, or Happy House in Spanish, is the signature residential work of architect James Gamble Rogers II. The Andalusian-style farmhouse has had significant influence on the architectural and cultural aspects of Winter Park and has become a cherished landmark loved by the community over the past 76 years.

Faced with the threat of demolition, the Winter Park community rallied around the house in 2000, raising $1.2 million in private donations and at least $500,000 in corporate sponsorships to save the home. The historic mansion represents a culmination of craftsmanship and community involvement, moving the mission style house to a new location, and undergoing extensive restorations to bring the house back to its original beauty from the 1930s. Only one crucial part of the house still remained untouched and seemingly irresolvable: the under-sized and ill-equipped kitchen.

“My father designed a beautiful house, but the kitchen lacks the conventionality and size needed to cater and entertain large gatherings,” said Jack Rogers, architect and son of Casa Feliz’s original architect, James Gamble Rogers II. “This was important to us because we wanted to rebuild a home that could be enjoyed by those who cherish it the most, the community,” he added. 

With that one major obstacle yet to be resolved, NKBA Central Florida Chapter Representative, Mark Warren called upon the local NKBA community to contribute to the much-needed renovation of the Casa Feliz kitchen. “We saw this as a perfect opportunity to give back to the community and this magnificent museum,” said Warren. “Our members have embraced this project enthusiastically and take pride in their contributions to this important landmark.”

Major community sponsors have stepped up to plate offering the best in kitchen remodeling cabinetry and appliances. The newly designed kitchen created by NKBA member designer Bill Burke,  features the finest soapstone countertops from Discover Marble & Granite; the highest quality of alder wood Omega Cabinetry donated by MasterBrand and the Jorn Group, installed by S&W Kitchens, featuring detailed custom woodwork designs by local handcrafters at Franklin Bennet Inc.; a stainless steel under mount sink provided by Millenia Bath; a best in class Wolf dual fuel range oven and state-of-the-art Sub-Zero dual refrigerator courtesy of Westye Group and Aggressive Appliances.

The new renovations will not only restore the house back to the allure James Gamble Rogers intended, but enhance the house to be shared by the community as a historic home museum and rental location for private parties, weddings, and business events. “True to its name, this landmark has brought happiness to the people of Winter Park. Now, the house can be enjoyed and shared by all of the community,” said Cathy Bame, Chapter Vice President of Programs.

The historic home museum will host its grand unveiling October 2nd and invites the surrounding communities of Winter Park to celebrate 76 years of honored history and praised architecture as Casa Feliz and the passionate work of James Gamble Rogers are reborn.

ABOUT CASA FELIZ

Son of James Gamble Rogers, renowned neo-gothic architect, Rogers II was one of the defining architects of Winter Park; giving the “City of Homes” its distinctive and defining character. Rogers is widely known for his traditional residential architecture but expanded his work to include architectural accomplishments such as the Florida State Supreme Court Building in Tallahasse and the Olin Library on the Rollins Campus. 

Built during the Great Depression for a cost of $28,000, Casa Feliz was one of Roger’s earliest residential works. Commissioned by Massachusetts industrialist Robert Bruce Barbour, Rogers was given unheard-of freedom to design the house any way he liked. Rogers set up his drawing board on site and began work on what be one of his most prized architectural accomplishments.

Inspired by the styles of French Provincial to Spanish Colonial, Casa Feliz features original red Spanish roof tiles, whitewashed century-old bricks, vaulted ceilings, and a heavy timber balcony detailed in colors of the Mediterranean. With vibrant landscaping consisting of sweeping oaks and alfresco gathering spaces, the farmhouse much resembles the French rural manor homes of the 1600s combined with the tastes of Spanish Conquistadors.

With interiors skillfully refurbished to their original splendor, the rich details of the house include vaulted ceilings, heavily carved European antiques, a Majolica-tiled interior courtyard and fountain, arched doorways and a circular staircase. The houses rooms open to the public include the living and dining rooms, library, courtyards and detached garden room.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL KITCHEN & BATH ASSOCIATION

Celebrating more than 40 years, the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is an international not-for-profit organization that has educated and led the kitchen and bath industry since 1963.  As the only trade association dedicated exclusively to the kitchen and bath industry, the NKBA is the leading source of information and education for consumers and professionals alike. With nearly 40,000 members and growing, the NKBA owns the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show & Conference®, the world's largest trade show and industry event. The mission of the NKBA is to enhance member success and excellence by promoting professionalism and ethical business practices and providing leadership and direction for the kitchen and bathroom industry.  For more information, please visit www.nkba.org.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: For story development, industry interviews or for more information about the National Kitchen & Bath Association, please contact Pamela Wadler or Walter Sperr at (212) 966-0024.