Bringing a Historic Home Back to Life
365 S Mulberry St. Monticello Florida
This historic Monticello home has been thoughtfully restored while honoring the people who lived here before. What began as a renovation soon became a deeper exploration into the story of the house and the Jones family who once called it home.
The Story of the House
The house on South Mulberry Street has stood in Monticello for well over a century. Its tall ceilings, central hallway, and solid heart pine construction reflect a time when homes were built by skilled craftsmen using materials meant to last for generations. Long before modern renovations and mechanical systems, houses like this were designed to work with the North Florida climate, allowing light and air to move easily through large rooms and wide hallways.
In 1926 the house became part of the story of the Jones family when Fate and Ollie Jones purchased the property and made it their home. For many decades it remained in the family, witnessing the everyday rhythms of life in Monticello. As we began restoring the house, we realized we were not simply renovating a structure. We were stepping into a much longer history and working carefully to preserve the character of a home that has been part of this town for generations.
When we first walked through the house, it was clear that beneath the years of wear the structure still held remarkable strength and craftsmanship. The original layout, the heart pine floors, and many of the architectural details had survived decades of use. Our approach from the beginning was not to remake the house, but to bring it back to life. That meant carefully evaluating what should be preserved, what needed to be repaired, and where thoughtful updates would allow the home to function comfortably for modern living.
The work has been guided by a respect for the home’s history and the skilled hands that first built it. With Tinny leading the construction, much of the effort has focused on restoring the integrity of the house while maintaining its character. As walls were opened and layers uncovered, the goal remained the same: keep what gives the house its soul while making the necessary improvements that will allow it to continue standing for generations to come.