Story Book Key West Cottage

As I stand on the front porch of this little Story-Book Key West Cottage vacation rental, I could swear I’m in a neighborhood in the Bahamas on Green Turtle Cay. In case you didn’t know, Key West and Green Turtle are ‘sister islands,’ and this Old Town Key West neighborhood is a testimony. Hand crafted wooden cottages are charmingly quirky and whimsical and nothing lines up symmetrically. A secret walking lane in the front connects Elizabeth Street with a narrow little driving lane on the back, and they both lead to town. Royal Poinciana trees give brilliant orange blossoms and welcome shade in the summer. The less known “Bill Butler Park,” a little shady pocket park, creates a neighborhood green-space right out the back yard gate.

Originally built in 1914 of heart pine wood, there’s nothing ordinary or precise about this quaint little tropical story-book cottage. It’s as if a turn-of-the-century seafaring carpenter picked this spot to live one day, gathered together the heart pine lumber, and went to work. Considering when and how it was built, that’s probably how it went. But it’s the wonky little cockeyed features, petite versions of Key West porches, and saltbox roofline that today make it a perfect little modern-day fairy-tale fantasy, ever so adorable and endearing - a one-of-a-kind cottage that makes me say, “Oh, isn’t it sweet …?”

As diminutive as it is, the Story Book Key West Cottage is situated on a unique small scale corner lot that makes it feel proportionately larger and gives it lots of privacy. Full size sash windows in all the rooms bring in plenty of daylight. The small back yard has a tall privacy fence with its own little free-form dipping pool that’s cleverly hidden from view. The back porch has a full set of French doors that add to the charm and lead to the kitchen for easy indoor-outdoor living, while the front porch is perfect for the two of you to sit.

Inside the cottage are all the comforts of home, with every room providing a purpose and its own unique feel. In August 2011, I completely redecorated the cottage interior, with a vintage-modern romantic twist … a style I love to live in myself.  Rooms were painted in soft relaxing colors and furnished with a blend of beautiful comfortable furniture and a few antique pieces from Argentina collected by the owner. Windows were given new coverings, and original wood floors were repainted. Island theme art work is placed in every room.

We start our mini-tour in the living room. Accessed from the front entrance, walls are painted a soft ambient yellow and trimmed in white. A cushy khaki color sofa with chaise plus comfortable floral easy chair are set for lounging.  A large repurposed bookshelf is set on one wall with the thought to hold your lap top and paper work if you plan to work remotely.  A flat-screen TV is mounted on a corner wall. To accommodate guests who might visit during your stay, the comfortable sofa opens to a queen sleeper.

Through the door directly across from the sofa is the bedroom complete with a pillow top king size bed that nearly fills the room creating a romantic setting.  Bead board bedroom walls painted a soft khaki color, are trimmed in white and appointed with soft sage green sheer curtains.  A new white washed wicker head board and wooden dresser are mixed with antique metal blue-patina end tables and a to-scale antique wooden bedroom rocking chair. A large walk-through closet provides plenty of space and has the unique feature of also passing through to a door on the other side that opens to the dining room.

To have a separate dining room in a small 1900’s Key West cottage is an added bonus. Painted in a subtle spice green, this tastefully decorated room combines a modern round wood table and leather dining chairs with a country-style balsa wood side board. A nice size closet provides extra space for keeping clutter out of site. This room can double as an office if you plan to do some writing or business during your Key West stay. Connected to the dining room is the adorable cottage kitchen.

The blue and white kitchen has a full-size-to scale layout with plenty of white wooden cabinets and blue tile counter space and a full size fridge. A pretty wooden drop leaf table is placed on the wall next to the French doors with the view of the yard where you can sit and have coffee in the morning.  Walls are painted a sky blue in complement to the cottage blue tiles. 

The final room in the tour of the cottage is the full size bathroom.  Also painted with a blue and white theme, the bathroom provides a bath tub with in-tub shower.  Two windows look out onto the private back porch and yard and bring in plenty of light. 

Outdoor living areas in the back yard and off the front porch expand the cottage and unlock the doors to year-round enjoyment of Key West indoor-outdoor island living.  With the tropical Caribbean climate you can double your living space at least nine months out of the year. Even in the heat of summer, the dipping pool in the private back yard provides a refreshing outdoor reprieve.

The most important aspect of renting a hand-crafted cottage like this is that you understand and appreciate its history and its location. This original heart of Key West neighborhood is as authentic and historic as they come – a true mixture of ‘Conchs,’ artists, incognito celebrities, and Bahamian descendents living in a mish-mash of original quaint wooden cottages and houses. Remember, this island is a more Caribbean than American in its aesthetic clashes with million dollar Victorians around the corner from humble conch shacks. We’re ‘One Human Family’ in Key West, and in this romantic Bahama island style cottage you’ll really live like a local … in comfort and style a little askew from the norm.

Bedding Summary:

• 1 King size bed
• 1 Queen sleeper sofa

Amenities: Dipping pool with private back yard. Beautifully furnished with comfortable furniture and cottage antiques. A/C, flat screen TV with cable, internet, fully equipped kitchen, linens and towels provided. Washer / dryer on covered back porch.

Parking: The back entrance of this cottage is located on a narrow driving lane. There are a couple of places on the opposite side of the lane next to the pocket park where you can usually park a car. This narrow lane was built before there were any cars on the island. You don't really need a car from this location. Enjoy the freedom of walking or biking everywhere. No whining if you can’t find a place to park on the lane :-)

Area: Heart of Old Town Key West in a residential island neighborhood just a few streets from Duval Street and the famous Key West Historic Seaport. This original heart of Key West neighborhood is as authentic and historic as they come – a true mixture of ‘Conchs,’ artists, incognito celebrities, and Bahamian descendents living in a mish-mash of original quaint wooden cottages and houses. A hand full of walking lanes intersect with narrow driving lanes with names like Windsor Lane and Poorhouse Lane - each a reflection of a more innocent yesteryear. Close to a variety of shopping, offices, entertainment, and restaurants, bars, and historic churches, historic cemetery. Walk to the Mallory Square Sunset Celebration and the Key West Historic Seaport Harbor Walk in 5 to 10 minutes

Activities: Center of Old Town Key West in hidden authentic historic neighborhood just 2 streets from the middle of Duval Street and 4 streets from the Seaport. Historic and authentic neighborhood features story-book lanes, historic grave yard, tiny local grocers, and a few restaurants. Easy stroll to art galleries, internationally famous fine restaurants, sailing, boating, diving, museums, nightlife.

Restrictions: Smoke free house. Best for mature couples. Absolutely no pets.