Text: Andrea Kavanagh
Photos: Carmel Brantley
Tucked among the hustle and bustle of Miami, Florida, lies Coral Gables, a historic enclave known as The City Beautiful. Established in the 1920s, the city contains various villages designed to reflect international architectural styles such as French, Dutch, Chinese, Italian, and Colonial American. The village homes that remain today are highly coveted and carefully guarded jewels within the community.
When Deirdre and Richard Critchlow found a home for sale many years ago in Colonial Village, they immediately knew they had discovered a diamond in the rough. The designated historic landmark was built in 1925, the same year Coral Gables was incorporated. “The home was originally green and in poor condition, but I could see its potential,” says Deirdre. “I like to see houses through rose-colored glasses. Maybe that’s why I painted it pink!”
46. A Coral Gables Home’s Journey of Love, History, and Timeless Design
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Deirdre, who describes her style as maximalist, studied interior design at the O’More School of Design in Franklin, Tennessee. “Interior design is my passion,” she says. “I inherited it from my mother, and I have passed it along to my two daughters. We love to surround ourselves with eye candy, which always makes life a little sweeter.”
In the Colonial Village house, Deirdre especially loved the side entrance and columned front. “Those elements reminded me of the Charleston homes that influenced my passion for historic houses,” she says. “I have always been intrigued with the architectural detail in those homes, and I knew that this one wanted to be that fancy as well.”
The Critchlows lived in the house with their two daughters for several years before making any changes, so they had time to think about how it would best suit their needs. Under the guidance of architect Jorge L. Hernandez and interior designer Marisel Diaz, an extensive renovation and expansion ensued. Throughout the process, the design team was careful to maintain the period architecture of the home.
After the couple’s children left for college, the empty nesters found they were spending more and more time out of town, so they decided to downsize to a condo. While they loved the carefree lifestyle, they soon realized their space limitations and started looking at houses again. After an exhaustive and fruitless search, they learned that the owners of their old home wanted to sell. “We immediately went over and fell in love all over again,” says Deirdre. “Everything was just the right size, and it still had all the architectural charm we had added to it. We had a contract within days.”
Deirdre brought in friend and interior designer Eileen Plasky of EPDesign Group to help create interiors that would fit their life stage. The couple had a lot of antiques to work with, but they also wanted to incorporate new and custom pieces to create a more personalized look. “The decor now is a reflection of my love for detail, traditional furnishings, color, and antiques,” says Deirdre.
*In 2018, Deirdre lost her battle with breast cancer after a 10-year fight. Her home remains a loving tribute and source of comfort for her family.
