Key West Gardenia House

The inspired composition of the Key West Gardenia House reflects the creative style of its photographer owners who love Key West and travel the world practicing their art. Easy elegance permeates every room of this renovated property that married a 1940’s bungalow island house with a next door Caribbean cottage on two lots in the beautiful Old Town Key West Meadows neighborhood.  The end result is a gorgeous and spacious sun lit luxury home with plenty of privacy. Set on a double corner lot with new private deck and swimming pool in the back, all the original character and presence is maintained in the front right down to the original spacious sitting porch, front lawn and landscaped flower beds … complete with (you guessed it) gardenias.

Interior Layout:

Main House: Step inside the main entrance of the Key West Gardenia House vacation rental from the front porch and you’re immediately in the expansive great room that runs the entire length of the main house from front to back. The uplifting decor is defined by its surround of many windows and original heart pine walls and floors that have been lightly white-washed to brighten up the space even more. Centered in the interior wall is a special feature not endowed to most Key West houses, a fireplace with a mantel. The room feels like it has been set to welcome family members back from a day at the beach, or a bike ride around the island.

The new designer kitchen is finished with top-of-the line stainless appliances, commercial gas stove, double ovens, silver tone corian counter tops with matching custom cabinets, and custom lighting. A wide counter ‘breakfast bar’ delineates the kitchen from the rest of the space, and just beyond that, towards the living room,  a table and chairs are set to create an open dining area.  A cream colored sofa is placed with its back to the dining area, and grouped with easy chairs, a coffee table, and lamps to define a living room.

The Key West Gardenia House offers three very uniquely designed bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. Two of the bedrooms are in the main house, and the third bedroom is in the attached cottage.  Bedrooms in the main house connect with the great room through doors on either side of the fireplace.

The front bedroom suite, referred to as the ‘guest suite,’ shows off original varnished dade pine walls and floors in their entire splendor. Crisp white window and door trim enhances the now rare wood even more, and large sash windows invite in plenty of light. An eclectic grouping of imported wood and wicker furnishings create an exotic feel, and the golden wood sets a romantic tone to the room. This guest suite is set with a full size bed, and a beautiful private bathroom that provide a free-standing sink, commode, and full bathtub with in-tub shower.

The back bedroom suite, referred to as the ‘master suite’ is accessed through a door past the fireplace and just before the kitchen. Composed with a contemporary island flare, the master suite was approached in the opposite manner as the front bedroom suite. Providing a queen size bed, the master suite has a decidedly modern Florida feel with crisp white walls and clean-line imported dark wood bedroom furnishings. A set of single pane French doors lead directly out onto the expansive pool deck. An absolutely ‘tricked out’ designer custom Miami glass block and marble tile bathroom could make you ‘flip a coin’ for who gets this suite.

The Cottage: Key West is synonymous with charming cottage living, and when you rent the Key West Gardenia House you’re also guaranteed a Key West cottage experience in what we call the ‘cottage suite.’ The renovation of this home seamlessly joined a ‘stand-alone’ Caribbean style cottage with the main bungalow house by creating a hallway between the two. The end result is the most spacious and private bedroom suite in the house that can easily be used as a ‘home office’ if you need to work remotely.

The cottage received a flawless floor-to-ceiling makeover with multiple designer touches like elegant marble topped cupboards, travertine tile floors and transom windows. Exposed ceiling beams and walls are painted a soft champagne color creating an atmosphere of opulence. A metal sleigh bed is dressed in colorful bed clothes and a playful leather turquoise slipper chair adds a whimsical touch.

The bathroom in the cottage suite is, without a doubt, one of the prettiest I’ve seen. The owners chose a jewel toned tile color scheme inspired by sea and sky, a full spectrum of blues from pale blue to turquoise for the large octagon shape shower. Transom windows in the shower bring in natural light and offer a glimpse of a brilliant bougainvillea vine in the garden.

Grounds:

Unlike most properties on the island, Key West Gardenia House has a very spacious yard. Situated on a double corner lot affords the house maximum privacy with no neighbors on one side. A blending of traditional with contemporary provides a front and side lawn trimmed with a variety of tropical shrubbery beds, and a sleek wood deck in the back that runs the entire width of the house. The swimming pool, with custom tiled wall and trickling waterfall, is set just outside the single pane French doors that lead to the kitchen.  A French Caribbean style outdoor dining table and chairs invites you enjoy meals in the garden.

Along the back deck, there are two more sets of single pane French doors. One connects with the master suite and the other with the cottage suite, a perfect set up if you want to slip out of bed and into the pool.

The property is completely fenced. The entire yard is immaculately maintained by a professional gardener. The curb side appeal of this Old Town Key West Meadows neighborhood is extremely desirable. All homes have been renovated and are charming and beautiful to view.

This property is offered as a month long or seasonal rental for persons who want to settle into the neighborhood for a month or more.  This location is ideal for professionals, executives, and families who have discerning tastes looking for a spacious and luxurious accommodation that provides luxury home amenities. The property will not tolerate loud music or smoking.

Bedding Summary:

• Master Suite – Queen size bed
• Cottage Suite – Queen size bed
• Guest Suite – Full size bed

Amenities: Beautiful gardens and swimming pool. Over-the-top newly renovated home with adjoining cottage with all the amenities and creature comforts one could want. Full gourmet kitchen, central a/c, color cable TV, stereo, laundry room with washer / dryer. Linens and towels are provided. Catering can be arranged. Maid service can be scheduled. beautiful furnishings, large back deck for dining, luxury bathrooms. Phone, cable TV, internet access available.

Activities: Pool side lounging, shopping, fine dining, swimming, tennis, boating, museums, art galleries, diving. All Town Key West features are close. Great space to set up "home office."

Area: Located in the beautiful Meadows Neighborhood of Key West. This exclusive residential area of Old Town Key West is really an extension of the Old Town Historic Seaport District where the harbor ‘rounds the bend.’ It was originally developed as a suburban neighborhood in the early 1900’s and has a distinctively gracious and private feel with wider tree lined streets and larger yards. There is less commercial development than the seaport side of White Street and the center of Old Town. Yet, the Meadows are flanked by White Street that offers many locally favorite restaurants, art galleries, bakeries, and shops. While many of the Meadow’s residents live in Key West year around, there are some homes available for rent mostly to seasonal guests. From here you can walk to the Historic Seaport in 5 to 10 minutes and walk to Duval Street in 20 minutes. Walk to grocery store, dining, art galleries. Close to all Old Town Key West attractions and beaches. Close to beautiful park with tennis courts, and lots of green for relaxing. You really do not need a car from this location. The ideal transportation when you rent this home is a bicycle... which is one of the best ways to experience the ambience of Key West.

Restrictions: Smoke Free House and Outdoors. No smoking permitted. Absolutely no pets permitted.