Under Evelyn’s influence, Bonnet House came alive once again. She and Frederic returned to Fort Lauderdale and began restoring and expanding the estate. Evelyn embraced the property’s tropical character, adding new gardens, aviaries, and decorative touches that reflected her love of color and whimsy.
The couple filled the home with artwork, sculptures, and personal creations, turning it into a living gallery. They also entertained artists, writers, and friends, transforming Bonnet House into a creative enclave amid the growing city of Fort Lauderdale.
After Frederic’s death in 1953, Evelyn continued to live at Bonnet House for nearly four decades, maintaining it as both a residence and a monument to her husband’s legacy. Her devotion to the estate was unwavering—she viewed it as a living work of art that should remain untouched by commercial development.
Art and Imagination: The Bartletts’ Creative Legacy
Art was the lifeblood of Bonnet House. Every wall, courtyard, and corner reflected the Bartletts’ passion for creative expression. Frederic’s murals adorned the ceilings with tropical birds, mythological creatures, and geometric patterns, while Evelyn’s paintings brought a feminine touch of grace and spontaneity.
The Bartletts’ approach to art was holistic—they saw no boundary between fine art and daily life. The arrangement of flowers, the curve of a staircase, even the placement of a seashell in the garden—all were treated as elements of composition and design.
Frederic’s studio, preserved today as part of the museum, remains a testament to his artistic process. Canvases, pigments, and sketches offer insight into an artist who blended European training with a uniquely Floridian sensibility.
Evelyn’s influence extended beyond painting. She introduced theatricality into the home’s décor, filling rooms with animal figurines, whimsical masks, and brightly painted objects. She also cared deeply about wildlife, creating habitats for birds, monkeys, and swans within the property.
Together, the Bartletts transformed Bonnet House into a total work of art—a place where architecture, environment, and imagination became inseparable. shutdown123