It has been over two years since my dear friend and “Miami Mom” Deirdre Critchlow passed away after a 10-year battle with breast cancer, and I still miss her every single day. Last year, I shared a sneak peek inside her beautiful and historic home, which was also featured in the March/April 2019 Southern Home. Today, I’m sharing a full tour with previously unpublished images, as captured by Carmel Brantley of Brantley Photography. Below is the delightful history of the home, along with captions I wrote with Deirdre before she passed. It is one of the prettiest homes I have ever seen!
Tucked amongst the hustle and bustle of Miami, Florida lies Coral Gables, a city within the city otherwise known as “The City Beautiful.” In the 1920s, Coral Gables founder George Merrick began “The Village Project” to showcase architectural styles from around the world to include the Chinese Village, the Italian Village, the Dutch South African Village, the French Provincial Village, the French Country Village, the French City Village, and the Florida Pioneer/Colonial Village. Sadly, only 80 of the 1,000 planned residences were built, as Merrick’s vision was devastated by the Hurricane of 1926 and the ensuing Great Depression. But fortunately, many of these homes remain today, and they are highly coveted, carefully guarded jewels within the Coral Gables community.
When homeowners Deirdre and Rick Critchlow discovered a home for sale in the Florida Pioneer/Colonial Village, they immediately knew they had found a gem. Built in 1925, the designated historic landmark was built the same year Coral Gables was incorporated. “It was originally green and in rough shape, but I see houses through rose-colored glasses,” said Deirdre Critchlow. “Maybe that’s why I painted it pink! I’m always looking at the potential.”
The couple lived in the house with their two daughters for several years before renovating so they had time to think about what they wanted it to be. The side-entrance and columned front reminded Deirdre of the Charleston houses that had so greatly influenced her passion for historic homes and architecture. “I fell in love with all the architectural detail in those homes and knew that this house wanted to be that fancy as well,” she said. Under the guidance of architect Jorge L. Hernandez and interior designer Marisel Diaz, an extensive renovation and expansion ensued. Some original moldings were matched and kept, and in some rooms more detailed moldings that were consistent with the period of the home were added.
After the couple’s children left for college, the empty nesters found they were spending more and more time out of town, and they decided to downsize to a condo. While they loved the carefree lifestyle, they realized their space limitations and started looking at houses again.
During an exhaustive and fruitless search, the couple learned that the owners of their old home wanted to sell. “We immediately went over and fell in love all over again. Everything was just the right size and it had all the architectural charm we had added to it. Within days we had a contract,” said Deirdre.
Deirdre brought in friend and interior designer Eileen Plasky of EPDesign Group to help fulfill her vision for the interiors with a keen attention to detail. The couple had a lot of antiques to work with, as they both enjoyed going to antique shops and shows. But they also love to incorporate new and custom pieces, creating an individual and personal look. “The decor now is a reflection of my love for detail, traditional furnishings, color, and antiques,” Deirdre said.
This is one of my all-time favorite homes, and it belonged to a very, very special lady with the most beautiful soul. I hope you enjoyed the tour. 🙂 Thank you Carmel Brantley for the wonderful photography.
29 COMMENTS
Love this house and the story craftily with great interest and creativity by you!!! The personal touch of you knowing such a charming lady goes very well with the presentation. Thank you so much for posting! I love blues, reds and the fog accents. ♥️♥️❤️ Please keep on sharing! Kudis????
An absolutely lovely home. I can’t get enough of the beautiful details and her exquisite antiques collection. I have to confess I’ve saved almost your entire post on my Pinterest page! Thank you, thank you for always sharing the most stunning and inspiring interiors!
Every room was delightful and delicious. I crave the fabrics used. It’s like a jewel box. It’s such an inspiration for me today to tackle some shelved projects around my petit masion.
What a patrician and elegant home, and yet so warm and welcoming. Just like its mistress, I’m sure. It must have given her great joy to share with friends and family. Extraordinarily beautiful. I can see how it would be one of your favourites. It’s perfect.
Quite often I think I’ll stop and comment about how wonderful all that you share is….but I’m assuming (hoping?) that you know because you keep gifting us with more fabulousness. Thank you for this blog/work of passion. Your touching admiration and love for your dear friend Deirdre along with this utterly gorgeous, basically perfect in every detail, home has moved me to say that I’m almost speechless (if that makes sense) or perhaps better to say moved and breathless. Thank you Andrea.
I cannot thank you enough for your kind words! The Glam Pad has always been my “happy place” – especially during troubling times – and it made my day to hear you say that. I assure you, this home is a true reflection of Deirdre. She was practically perfect in every way. 🙂
Thank you, Denise. 🙂 I wish I could capture the way this home “feels”… it is just such a happy home, filled with love and joy, and you feel that the instant you walk inside.
I know this house. In the ’80’s, it was owned by the then president of Barnett Bank of South Florida, with whom I had the pleasure of working for many years. It looked much different when he and his wonderful family lived there, but it has always been a beautiful home in one of the loveliest areas of Miami.
Dearest Andrea, I acn just look at thepink facade of this scrumptious house and know that you two were close friends. What she must have meant to you in Miami! I’m so sorry to hear that she is nolongeramong us, but still in our hearts.
We owe each other a phone chat….I’ll DM you. xB
This is possibly one of the most beautiful homes I’ve seen on The Glam Pad. I adore her use of colour the most out of any home interior I’ve seen: pink with blue, Terracotta with green or blue, green with amethyst, and so on. She didn’t just pair a colour with a neutral and I think that’s so clever and visually stunning. Thank you so much Andrea, you must miss your dear friend very much. Best wishes to you always, Maria.
As Anton Chekhov said in one of his plays, “In a human being everything should be beautiful: the face, the clothes, the soul, the thoughts. . . .” This seems to apply to Deirdre, if we also add a beautiful home to that.
Wandered in from Pinterest. I am so sorry you lost your good friend, as I know what that is like. I have many beautiful things that my friend gave me, and it is bittersweet using them. Thank you for letting us glimpse her wonderful house. She had a beautiful soul.
I have had the pleasure of seeing some of this house in person, and it is just as beautiful and welcoming in person, if not more so. A truly special home.
Love this house and the story craftily with great interest and creativity by you!!! The personal touch of you knowing such a charming lady goes very well with the presentation. Thank you so much for posting! I love blues, reds and the fog accents. ♥️♥️❤️ Please keep on sharing! Kudis????
Stunning.
Such a beautiful and timeless home! Love the pink! Happy Wednesday, Andrea~
An absolutely lovely home. I can’t get enough of the beautiful details and her exquisite antiques collection. I have to confess I’ve saved almost your entire post on my Pinterest page! Thank you, thank you for always sharing the most stunning and inspiring interiors!
One of the most glorious interiors I’ve ever seen!! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for this wonderful tour! What a sublime home. I am sorry for the loss of your friend.?
Beautiful – I would never leave!
Every room was delightful and delicious. I crave the fabrics used. It’s like a jewel box. It’s such an inspiration for me today to tackle some shelved projects around my petit masion.
Thank you
What a patrician and elegant home, and yet so warm and welcoming. Just like its mistress, I’m sure. It must have given her great joy to share with friends and family. Extraordinarily beautiful. I can see how it would be one of your favourites. It’s perfect.
Quite often I think I’ll stop and comment about how wonderful all that you share is….but I’m assuming (hoping?) that you know because you keep gifting us with more fabulousness. Thank you for this blog/work of passion. Your touching admiration and love for your dear friend Deirdre along with this utterly gorgeous, basically perfect in every detail, home has moved me to say that I’m almost speechless (if that makes sense) or perhaps better to say moved and breathless. Thank you Andrea.
Dear Jane,
I cannot thank you enough for your kind words! The Glam Pad has always been my “happy place” – especially during troubling times – and it made my day to hear you say that. I assure you, this home is a true reflection of Deirdre. She was practically perfect in every way. 🙂
Xx,
Andrea
The Glam Pad
Sorry for the loss of your friend who’s lovely style lives on through your friendship and in sharing her home with your readers. Ellen Easton
Absolutely off the charts……..beautiful furniture and fabrics done really really well!
Pure perfection. Especially love the ‘Fly Fishing’ Powder Room and Study!
A stunning home with exquisite details. You are so fortunate to have visited it.
Thank you, Denise. 🙂 I wish I could capture the way this home “feels”… it is just such a happy home, filled with love and joy, and you feel that the instant you walk inside.
Xx,
Andrea
The Glam Pad
I remember this house from my childhood! I would walk by it while playing golf. Such a beautiful home. Thank you for sharing!
I know this house. In the ’80’s, it was owned by the then president of Barnett Bank of South Florida, with whom I had the pleasure of working for many years. It looked much different when he and his wonderful family lived there, but it has always been a beautiful home in one of the loveliest areas of Miami.
Dearest Andrea, I acn just look at thepink facade of this scrumptious house and know that you two were close friends. What she must have meant to you in Miami! I’m so sorry to hear that she is nolongeramong us, but still in our hearts.
We owe each other a phone chat….I’ll DM you. xB
This house is stunning! I was not going to look at the pic when I saw the pink outside, but wow…So glad I did!!!
What’s the name of the flooring in entryway?
This house is perfection! Thanks for sharing, Andrea. And I’m so very sorry for the loss of your friend.
This is possibly one of the most beautiful homes I’ve seen on The Glam Pad. I adore her use of colour the most out of any home interior I’ve seen: pink with blue, Terracotta with green or blue, green with amethyst, and so on. She didn’t just pair a colour with a neutral and I think that’s so clever and visually stunning. Thank you so much Andrea, you must miss your dear friend very much. Best wishes to you always, Maria.
Dear Maria,
Your kind words warm my heart! Thank you so much, I am so pleased that you love this home as much as I do. 🙂
Xx,
Andrea
The Glam Pad
As Anton Chekhov said in one of his plays, “In a human being everything should be beautiful: the face, the clothes, the soul, the thoughts. . . .” This seems to apply to Deirdre, if we also add a beautiful home to that.
Beautiful words, Irina, and yes they absolutely apply to Deirdre! Thank you so much for sharing this lovely quote.
Xx,
Andrea
The Glam Pad
Wandered in from Pinterest. I am so sorry you lost your good friend, as I know what that is like. I have many beautiful things that my friend gave me, and it is bittersweet using them. Thank you for letting us glimpse her wonderful house. She had a beautiful soul.
Thank you for the kind words, Margaret. 🙂 Deirdre was an amazing lady!
Xx,
Andrea
The Glam Pad
I have had the pleasure of seeing some of this house in person, and it is just as beautiful and welcoming in person, if not more so. A truly special home.