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My first encounter with this special Little Red Pool Garden Cottage was when I observed an artist at sunset quietly painting its portrait.  He’d set up his easel in front of the garden at sunset, and was completely focused in his effort to capture its fairy-tale qualities. An idyllic 1900’s shot-gun cottage in a beautiful garden oasis where well water is plentiful, it sits back off the street on a ‘road less traveled’ in the distinctive Casa Marina neighborhood of Old Town Key West. It’s easy to miss it when you walk or drive by, but its endearing quality caught the artist’s eye. The cottage is uniquely painted a rich palate of Van Gogh red with crisp white trim and gingerbread fence, and the tin roof has just enough dusting of patina to portray the perfect facsimile of KeyWest story-book garden living. 

 

Truth be known, the Little Red Pool-Garden Cottage was originally built in the late 1800’s on Margaret Street in downtown Key West.  Sometime in the 1930’s it was treasured so much, it was moved to its current tropical garden location with a spring fed well. I love that this happened … that someone so loved and valued the simple beauty of this cottage so much, that they had it moved across the island to become part of a garden oasis. Today the cottage is  owned by a self-proclaimed environmentalist, and is happily tucked away in a tropical garden. 

 

Layout:

The owner of this endearing Key West cottage gave it a thoughtful renovation that carefully maintained its original integrity, while providing all the necessary modern upgrades.  The front interior was left in its authentic layout, and when you enter the front door, you step into the long hall that leads to the back of the cottage and tropical great-room.  Immediately on your left, as you step through the door, you’ll find the den / office.  This welcoming room provides a stylish glass top writing desk with a nice window view to the front garden.  A wood credenza with hand painted scenes on the doors and a large framed mirror hung over the top provides a beautiful decorative touch. Original heart-pine walls are lightly pickled to show off the wood grain, and sash windows are beautifully trimmed in white.  Window screens are placed in all the windows, so when weather permits, they can be opened to invite in the breeze.  A queen sleeper sofa completes the office setting, but also allows the room to be used as a second bedroom.  

 

The next room down the hall to the left is the renovated bathroom. Heart pine wood ceiling beams were exposed to make the room feel larger and to show architectural detail.  Mango colored tiles were laid on the shower walls, and white square tiles on the floors.  Walls were then faux painted a peach-mango color, and as a finishing touch an artist hand painted flower vines on the beams. The bathroom provides a single vanity sink and a bath tub with in-tub shower.

 

As we continue down the hall, towards the back of the cottage, the next door on the left is the master bedroom.  Again, original heart-pine wooden wall planks have been exposed to show authenticity, but this time they are left bare offering a romantic glow to the room.  Everything about the cozy bedroom is inviting from the comfy queen size bed, to the cottage style furnishings, kilim rug and beautiful art work.  As with the den, sash windows have screens so they can be opened to welcome in fresh air.

 

As we continue our tour, we reach the light airy great-room that spans the entire width of the back of the building. Again, the original heart pine wood walls in this room are featured and remind you that you’re most definitely in an historic turn-of-the-19th-century Key West cottage.  A light cream pickling wash helps to bounce light in the space while floors are varnished clear to feature the red-gold color. Done up in casual elegant island style furnishings, fit for the traveler with the most discriminating tastes, a large low-slung white wicker and canvas L-shape sofa is perfectly tucked into the corner of the lounging side of the room and a raspberry colored kilim rug stiched with a garden pattern point your eyes to the amazing pool-garden area. The entire space is further enlivened with eclectic folk art from the owner’s travels.   

 

Before we feast our eyes on the pool-garden oasis in the back yard, we need to take a look at the kitchen.  Situated on the opposite end of the great-room, the renovated U-shape kitchen was brought to elegant standards while retaining the cottage feel. New wood grain cabinetry topped with black granite counter tops, white textured floor tile, and a counter height dining bar off-set the kitchen from the lounging area.  

 

Grounds:

The owner, a forever avid outdoors woman, re-designed the back herself, to create her ultimate outdoor tropical fantasy living room. She’s quick to state that the main room of the cottage really is the oversized outdoor room with green canvas awning roof with ‘roll-up’ walls, and flag-stone pattern patio floor. A glass dining table with wicker chairs, has been set by the pool for al-fresco dining, while a few occasional chairs, tables, and lamps have been placed around to create the perfect place to relax after a dip in the pool.

 

The remarkable fantasy-island style pool garden is the focus of this entire cottage.  Everything about this setting is beautiful, and story-book like.  The elegant custom oasis-style pool complete with lounging benches, features a very natural looking waterfall at one end, and when the water is running it makes me feel like I’m in a natural grotto far from town. An impressive variety of palm trees, tropical hardwoods, and exotic under-story flanking the pool provide landscaping that looks as natural as if they had arrived as volunteers to the garden.  Sounds of rustling palm fronds, the soothing natural-style waterfall and oasis style swimming pool 

make it easy to restore your senses and relax into simple island-time and imagine you are far-far away.

Note: This property is only available to rent from early May to early November.  Owner is in residence during the other months.  This property is offered as a month long or summer seasonal rental only for a couple or quiet single persons with discerning tastes. Longer term guests are welcome to invite a visitors for a short stay during their visit. The property will not tolerate loud music or smoking.

 

Bedding Summary:

•    Master bedroom -  Queen size bed

•    Den / Office – Queen sleeper sofa

 

Amenities: Natural tropical garden maintained by professional gardener,  private pool with water-fall.  Large out-door living room / dining room area. Street parking in front. Window A/C, cable TV, stereo, telephone, wifi, washer dryer, linens and towels are provided, maid service on request.

Activities: Within 5 minute stroll to Higgs Beach, White Street Pier, West Martello Fort, tennis courts near the beach, Key West famous Salute Restaurant on Higgs Beach, Casa Marina Resort property, Faustos Fine Grocery Store, Sandy’s Café walk up restaurant and Cuban coffee, local art galleries, and weather station. Walk or bike to most Key West Old Town attractions.

 

Area: This small exclusive Casa Marina residential district has grown into one of the most sought after neighborhoods in Old Town Key West. In the mid 1900's this area was considered the "country side" of the island, and the modern day result leaves a legacy of outstanding turn-of-the-century, mid-century and modern architecture with beautiful gardens and more yard space than is typically found in the other residential districts in Old Town Key West. Quiet residential area, close to the Atlantic Ocean and the White Street gallery and shopping area.

 

Restrictions: Smoke free house. Best for mature couples or singles seeking R & R. No pets please.