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6441 Gulfside Drive: Horne home

The Longboat Key Garden Club Home Tour runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 7.


  • By Nat Kaemmerer
  • | 6:59 p.m. March 1, 2020
  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • Share

Jill Horne’s classically decorated Florida home blends well into its beachside setting.

Upon stepping in, you’re greeted with a wide-open space with beachy decor and splashes of color throughout, including a bright green floral bike in one corner. The house was originally a bungalow and was expanded, Horne said. Much of the decor and furniture are items that Horne salvaged and collected over the years. A hand-painted stone seagull, which Horne thinks comes from England, is often moved around the home.

“There’s a lot of history to the house,” Horne said. “There are also lots of nice memories with the grandkids rolling around on trikes.”

Horne has had the house since 1993, when she and her late husband purchased it and decorated it largely in clean blue and white on the inside. The outdoor space facing the beach brings in pops of yellow and green. 

There are several bedrooms to accommodate frequent guests, including one that used to be the home’s carport and one that still has bunk beds from Horne’s grandchildren’s stays. In Horne’s upstairs room, children’s artwork decorates the wall near the sitting area, which boasts the home’s second fireplace.

A spacious, well-lit kitchen occupies the back of the home.
A spacious, well-lit kitchen occupies the back of the home.
The kitchen is large for cooking and entertaining guests.
The kitchen is large for cooking and entertaining guests.
Seating with muted tones fill the living room.
Seating with muted tones fill the living room.
Blue accents dot white furniture.
Blue accents dot white furniture.
One seating area downstairs boasts a fireplace.
One seating area downstairs boasts a fireplace.
In this room, Horne has books and even more seating to enjoy the light coming in from the many windows.
In this room, Horne has books and even more seating to enjoy the light coming in from the many windows.
A clawfoot tub is the centerpiece of the main bathroom.
A clawfoot tub is the centerpiece of the main bathroom.
This guest bedroom keeps the blue and white theme alive.
This guest bedroom keeps the blue and white theme alive.
An old dollhouse sits on a table near the home's entrance.
An old dollhouse sits on a table near the home's entrance.
A colorful bike fronts a salvaged chest.
A colorful bike fronts a salvaged chest.
The open entryway draws guests into the home.
The open entryway draws guests into the home.
Bunk beds for Horne's grandchildren occupy one guest room.
Bunk beds for Horne's grandchildren occupy one guest room.
The outdoor space is decorated with green and yellow.
The outdoor space is decorated with green and yellow.
An old stone seagull guards the entrance to the living room.
An old stone seagull guards the entrance to the living room.
Grandchildren's artwork decorates Horne's private sitting area.
Grandchildren's artwork decorates Horne's private sitting area.
More calming blue decorates Horne's bedroom.
More calming blue decorates Horne's bedroom.
Horne's seating area brings together the nautical theme and the Florida views.
Horne's seating area brings together the nautical theme and the Florida views.
The former bungalow boasts a Floridian landscape.
The former bungalow boasts a Floridian landscape.

 

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