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Bonnet House Blog

Apr 23
Love7

Happy WeddingWire Customer Rates Bonnet House as a 5.0 Wedding Venue

By Bonnet House Blog, Weddings No Comments

Bonnet-House-WeddingWeddingWire, the nation’s leading online marketplace in the weddings industry, provides easy-to-use planning tools for all aspects of weddings, including information on the most popular venues. Its customers regularly provide reviews, and a recent one qualified Bonnet House as “top of the line” for weddings, granting the maximum 5.0 score for all reviewable aspects – Quality of Service, Responsiveness, Professionalism, Value and Flexibility.

The recent newlywed, who held both the ceremony and reception at Bonnet House, added these words to her ratings: “The venue is absolutely breathtaking! We got married in the courtyard of the house. Nicholle was absolutely fabulous to work with. She responded quickly and went above and beyond to accommodate our requests. She conducted our rehearsal as well, and it was quick, and it made the ceremony run smoothly. Highly recommended, wish I could relive that day all over again!”

Historic Bonnet House in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is truly unique among the nation’s historic houses and gardens – and perhaps its most beautiful. Spanning 35 acres, Bonnet House Museum & Gardens offers a variety of exquisite settings for wedding events of any size, each uniquely beautiful in its own way. Whether you are planning a close and intimate gathering or a grand and lavish affair, Bonnet House sets the scene for romance and timeless memories.

Bonnet House is located at 900 North Birch Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304. For more information or to set up an appointment for your wedding event, please contact Nicholle Maudlin at (954) 703-2608 or [email protected].

Mar 18
Love6

Concerts Under The Stars Final 2014 Presentation on April 10th

By Bonnet House Blog No Comments

BH_Calendar_MSAnother Great Season of Concerts Under the Stars at Bonnet House Culminates with Special Presentation by Rising Stars from Florida Grand Opera’s Young Artist Program

One of Fort Lauderdale’s most popular music series concludes its 2014 season on Thursday, April 10 at 7pm, when the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens hosts a performance by rising stars from Florida Grand Opera’s Young Artist Program.

Since its foundation in 1984, Florida Grand Opera’s Young Artist Program has gained worldwide recognition as one of the leading operatic training programs in the United States, providing talented young singers and coach/accompanists with an opportunity to refine the skills developed during formal music education, targeting those areas necessary to develop
a successful career in opera.

Bonnet House’s Young Artist Music Series has successfully become one of this Fort Lauderdale landmark’s most treasured programs. Individual tickets for this very special final presentation range from $35 – $45, and in addition to a great musical evening, you can also please your palate in grand style, as wine, dessert and coffee will be included in the price of admission through the auspices of Whole Foods Market. It’s quite possibly the “best deal in town.”

The beautiful art for the Young Artist Music Series poster is produced by the honors class at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, with this season’s winning design provided by Paul Tran.

Bonnet House is located at 900 North Birch Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call (954) 703-2614 or visit us at
www.bonnet house.org/music-series.

Feb 18
Love10

Even More Expert Orchid Care Tips from Bonnet House’s Orchid Curator

By Bonnet House Blog, Classes & Workshops, News No Comments

Expert_Orchid_Care_Tips3

Expert Orchid Care Tips 3

Evelyn Bartlett, the original owner of beautiful, historic Bonnet House, was a passionate orchid collector. The varieties she left to Bonnet House comprise one of the largest collections of orchids in the Southeast United States, attracting orchid lovers – both enthusiasts and novices – from all over the world. Orchid aficionados are really interested in taking care of their plants, so here are even more tips from Bonnet House’s expert orchid curator:

• Household rubbing alcohol kills many pests on orchids.
• Mild dishwashing detergent will act as a pesticide.  Add 2 oz. (never anti-bacterial) to 1 gallon of water and spray the plants thoroughly. Repeat in 1 week.  (In very dry weather, water the orchid thoroughly the day before.)
• Be on alert for problems with snails during rainy weather.  The damage will appear as holes in the leaves and usually happens at night.
• Systemic treatments mean that the product is absorbed into the plants system and it works from within.  Topical treatments mean it stays on the surface of the plant.  Topical treatments wash off with rain or regular watering.
• Preparing for hurricane season, make sure your plans include what you would do with your orchids.  Don’t get caught off-guard.
• Become educated on the cold tolerance of your plants to be prepared for winter.  For example, vandas and cane type dendrobiums are very cold sensitive (below 55 degrees) and cattleyas are very cold tolerant.

Our beautiful orchid collection is one of the many reasons why a visit to South Florida is truly not complete without time spent at beautiful, historic Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. The story told here spans and parallels a wide swath of American history and makes a visit both to these pages and to the estate a uniquely educational and entertaining experience. Bonnet House is located at 900 North Birch Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304. For more information and details, please call (954) 563-5393 or visit BonnetHouse.org.

Feb 10
Love11

More Expert Orchid Care Tips from Bonnet House’s Orchid Curator

By Bonnet House Blog, Classes & Workshops, News No Comments

Expert_Orchid_Care_Tips2

Expert Orchid Care Tips: 2

Evelyn Bartlett, the original owner of beautiful, historic Bonnet House, was a passionate orchid collector. The varieties she left to Bonnet House comprise one of the largest collections of orchids in the Southeast United States, attracting orchid lovers – both enthusiasts and novices – from all over the world. Following our initial and well received set of orchid care tips, here are some additional suggestions from Bonnet House’s expert orchid curator:

• Reddening on orchid leaves during cold weather is a sign of a magnesium deficiency.
• Apply time release fertilizer during Spring/early summer so orchids will get the benefit of fertilizer during our rainy months when we do not want to add more water by applying water soluble fertilizers.
• Make sure to water orchids as early in the day as possible so they can dry thoroughly before night.
• Good air circulation around your orchids is essential.  Orchids placed to closely together transfer pest and disease very easily.
• Be on alert for problems with fungus during rainy weather.  Preventive maintenance spraying of fungicides is a good culture practice.
• Household cinnamon is a natural fungicide and can be dabbed on cuts in the plant when pruning or dividing.
• Make sure to always sterilize your pruners between plants so as not to transfer disease.

Our beautiful orchid collection is one of the many reasons why a visit to South Florida is truly not complete without time spent at beautiful, historic Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. The story told here spans and parallels a wide swath of American history and makes a visit both to these pages and to the estate a uniquely educational and entertaining experience. Bonnet House is located at 900 North Birch Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304. For more information and details, please call (954) 563-5393 or visit BonnetHouse.org.

Feb 06
Love11

Money-saving tips for planningyour Bonnet House wedding

By Bonnet House Blog, News, Weddings No Comments

Money-saving tips for planning your Bonnet House wedding:

Limit your guest count.  The owners of the historic estate were known for intimate gatherings with only very close friends and family.  Consider a small affair of 50 or less guests to save on the rental fee.  You’ll save in other areas too, such as catering and rentals.

Hire a wedding planner.  A lot of couple shy away from spending money on planners, but keep in mind that many planners receive discounts from the companies they contract with, and that savings can make a big impact on the bottom line.  Preferred planners like Event Bliss and Blonde Events can also help make important decisions on décor and layout and find ways to eliminate unnecessary spending.

Choose your accessories wisely.  Many couples chose to purchase gifts for their guests.  From presents at each place setting, to farewell gifts during departure, these gestures can get expensive and some guests forget and leave them behind altogether.  Concentrate on hosting a fun event and scratch the extras.

Choosing Bonnet House Museum & Gardens for your wedding means that you get built-in décor.  Our staff spends countless hours making sure the property looks beautiful for your wedding day and choosing over-the-top décor can overpower the garden setting. Choose a florist, such as Victoria Park Flowers, who can steer you in the direction of a less-is-more design approach and save big!

Consider a cocktail style wedding.  The estate is well suited for a cocktail party and having your guests mingle at cocktail tables instead of sitting at assigned tables adds a level of energy to an otherwise sedate event.  Caution: Most guests still expect to eat dinner at weddings, so be sure to mention in your invitation that it’s a cocktail party and have enough food (passed or stationed) to go around!

Purchase your own liquor.  Most caterers will provide a bar and bartender to serve the liquor that you have purchased.  The savings can be significant and you can take the leftovers home!

Shorten your cocktail hour, or eliminate it altogether! Consider taking your family photos before your ceremony, so that you can enjoy your party and avoid keeping your guests waiting.  Many photographers, like Clay Wieland, can make that first look between the bride and groom as special (and more intimate) than the ceremony first look.

Remember that Bonnet House is a not-for-profit organization, so tipping is not allowed for staff and volunteers.  Save money on gratuity and at the same time, help to preserve one of Ft. Lauderdale’s treasures!

 

Feb 04
Love10

Expert Orchid Care Tips fromBonnet House’s Orchid Curator

By Bonnet House Blog, Classes & Workshops, News No Comments

Expert_Orchid_Care_Tips

Evelyn Bartlett, the original owner of beautiful, historic Bonnet House, was a passionate orchid collector. The varieties she left to Bonnet House comprise one of the largest collections of orchids in the Southeast United States, attracting orchid lovers – both enthusiasts and novices – from all over the world.

Expert Orchid Care Tips

For all those die-hard orchid aficionados, here are some tips from Bonnet House’s expert orchid curator:

• Orchid pots (clay/plastic) can be reused if sterilized.  Scrub/soak in bleach
   water, then rinse very thoroughly.
• In the process of attaching an orchid to a mount, the new growth must be placed
   toward the mount and it must be tied/secured on very tightly so as not to wobble.
• Phaelanopsis and vandas are monopodial orchids and have no water storage.
   Phaelanopsis potting media should always stay moist. Vandas should be watered daily.
• Cattleyas, dendrobiums, oncidiums are sympodial orchids and have psuedobulbs as
   water storage.  These need to dry thoroughly between watering.
• Phaelanopsis need to be repotted yearly, and they need a drop in temperature to know
   it is the right time of year to bloom.  If growing inside, you may need to move it
   outside into a shady spot for about a week of 55 degrees.
• Fertilizing on a regular basis makes healthier plants that give you bigger, better flowers.
• Reduce fertilizing during winter months as the orchids are in a resting cycle.

Our beautiful orchid collection is one of the many reasons why a visit to South Florida is truly not complete without time spent at beautiful, historic Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. The story told here spans and parallels a wide swath of American history and makes a visit both to these pages and to the estate a uniquely educational and entertaining experience.

Bonnet House is located at 900 North Birch Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304. For more information and details, please call (954) 563-5393.

Feb 03
Love6

Hertz Latin America Special Offer

By Bonnet House Blog No Comments

Mention “Hertz Latin America Offer” when you purchase an admission ticket to the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens and receive a complimentary Life & Gift book that details the history of this beautiful estate and depicts its colorful past through recollections and imagery. Special offer good May 1, 2014 – October 15, 2014.

Jan 21
Love7

Weddings are Truly Unforgettable at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens

By Bonnet House Blog, Weddings No Comments

Fort Lauderdale Florida Wedding Venue Bonnet-House

If you are looking for a unique venue for your wedding ceremony and reception, you have found the perfect South Florida location. Known as Ft. Lauderdale’s best kept secret, Bonnet House Museum & Gardens embodies old-world charm and understated elegance. Originally built in 1920, Bonnet House exudes the whimsy and eclectic taste.  Artwork and decorative flourishes can be seen at every turn and the love for nature is evident in the surrounding grounds.

Spanning 35 acres, Bonnet House offers a variety of exquisite settings for events of any size, each uniquely beautiful.  Whether you are planning a close and intimate gathering or a grand and lavish affair, Bonnet House Museum & Gardens set the scene for romance and timeless memories.  Our dramatic spaces, such as the Hibiscus Garden, fountain courtyard, water front veranda, and tree-lined alee all provide memorable possibilities for weddings.  Aside from the exclusive use of Bonnet House property for your wedding, we also provide:

• Use of the property for photography two hours before ceremony
• Private use of upstairs bridal suite
• Personal Bridal Assistant
• Ceremony and Front Door Hostess
• Complimentary tram service for guests to be escorted from the parking lot to the main house.
• Free parking
• Rehearsal and Ceremony coordination
• Ceremony microphone and speakers
• Two hours for set up and one hour for clean up

Bonnet House is a unique venue and was awarded Wedding Wire Couple’s Choice Award for 2014. The Estate is shown by appointment only. For additional rental information or a tour, please contact Nicholle Maudlin, Events Manager at 954-703-2608 or at [email protected]

Jan 20
Love5

Another Great Season of Concerts Under the Stars Gets Underway at Bonnet House

By Bonnet House Blog No Comments

BH_Calendar_MS

Another Great Season of Concerts Under the Stars Gets Underway at Bonnet House

One of Fort Lauderdale’s most popular music series marks its return on Thursday, January 23 at 7pm, when the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens kicks off its 18th season of the Young Artist Music series with a performance by the University of Miami’s Frost Opera Theater, featuring Graduate Students pursuing Masters and Doctorate degrees in the University’s Department of Vocal Performance. Also featured are two undergraduate students who recently attended the National Opera Association conference in New York City, where they performed a duet from Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love.

The sensational season continues on February 13 with Florida Atlantic University’s Latin Vocal Ensemble, followed on March 13 by the Lynn University String Quartet, and culminates with the April 10 presentation by Florida Grand Opera’s rising stars.

Beginning as a community outreach program, the Young Artist Music series has successfully become one of Bonnet House’s most treasured programs. Individual tickets for this very special 18th anniversary season range from $35 – $45 per performance and series tickets from $120 – $160, so everyone can enjoy musical evenings under the stars like no other. And this year, the best gets even better, as – in addition to a great musical evening – wine, dessert and coffee will be included in the price of admission through the auspices of Whole Foods Market. It’s quite possibly the “best deal in town.”

The beautiful art for the Young Artist Music Series poster is produced by the honors class at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, with this season’s winning design provided by Paul Tran.

Bonnet House is located at 900 North Birch Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (954) 703-2614 or visit us at www.bonnethouse.org/calendar/

Jan 15
Love8

Art Classes Offered at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, Fort Lauderdale

By Bonnet House Blog, Classes & Workshops One Comment

Art Classes in Fort Lauderdale Florida

Learn the art of calligraphy, watercolor, acrylics and  zentangle amongst the nature and beauty that make up the Bonnet House Estate. Bonnet House Museum & Gardens offers two sessions of each workshop ranging from three to six weeks each. All classes are taught outdoors surrounded by luscious landscapes, contrasting colors and tropical motifs to inspire the artist in you.

Art Classes Offered at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens in Fort Lauderdale
Art class schedule is as follows:

Watercolor workshop with Karen Eskesen ($120 members, $150 non-members)

Session I: Wednesdays, now through February 12 from 9:30am – 12:30pm and 1:00pm – 4:00pm.

Session II: Wednesdays, February 26 – April 2 from 9:30am – 12:30pm and 1:00pm – 4:00pm.

Acrylic workshop with Nia Nakis ($120 members, $150 non-members)

Session I – Thursdays, now through February 13, 9:30am -12:30pm.

Session II – Thursdays, February 27 – April 3, 9:30am – 12:30pm.

Zentangle workshop with Shawn Ann Hayden ($105 members, $120 non-members)

Session I – Tuesdays, February 11 – 25, 12:30pm – 2:30pm.

Session II – Tuesdays, March 4 – 18, 12:30pm – 2:30pm.

Calligraphy workshop with Tony Pastucci ($100 members, $125 non-members)

Tuesdays, now through February 11, 9:30am – 11:30am.

Tuesdays, February 25 – March 25, 9:30am – 11:30am

Class space is limited to 15 students and each workshop requires pre-registration. To register visit us at  www.bonnethouse.org/adult-workshops or contact Linda Schaller at (954) 703-2606 or [email protected].