Posted Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Five Old Town Treasures To Tour February 15-16
If you enjoy touring the older homes of Key West, you’re in for a treat this weekend when the owners of five historic homes in Old Town open their homes for the Old Island Restoration February tour.
If you enjoy touring the older homes of Key West, you’re in for a treat this weekend when the owners of five historic homes in Old Town open their homes for the Old Island Restoration February tour.
Key West has often been called the largest museum of wooden homes in America. These elegant structures, with their rich historical heritage, lovely old lemonade verandahs, beautiful gardens and charming gingerbread trim enjoy a degree of protection comparable to that of an endangered species.
The Old Island Restoration Foundation, now in its 48th year, was formed to help safeguard their preservation. The non-profit group uses the funds from the tours and other events to make grants available to home owners and stewards of historically significant sites. The grants finance projects that will enhance and continue to preserve the appearance of Key West’s architectural treasures for generations to come.
Visitors will view some extraordinary properties, glean insights into restorations and have an opportunity to borrow some great decorating ideas.
The tour runs Friday and Saturday, February 15 and 16, from 10:00 a.m. till 4. Tickets are $25 each, admitting the visitor to all five homes. They may be purchased a from the Oldest House Museum at 322 Duval Street, at the ITT Office in Sigsbee Park, at both branches of the TIB, (3618 N. Roosevelt Blvd. and 330 Whitehead St.) and at any of the homes during the hours of the tour. For more information, call the OIRF at 294-9501.
Home of Malcolm Kutner
313 William St.
The touch of expert craftsmen is evident everywhere in this beautifully restored home, built around 1900. Best known as the George A. T. Roberts House, this Key West landmark is one of only 37 Queen Anne houses in Key West, a style popular here at the end of the 19th century. The present owner, a designer/decorator, has painstakingly restored the home with a deep respect for historical houses and a love of the outdoors, using natural materials wherever possible. Dade County pine walls glow honey gold; French doors have antique glass. Just off the uncluttered kitchen is the stunning, spacious porch that is the new outdoor living room/dining area. The furnishings are a combination of carefully chosen antiques, suitably juxtaposed with modern pieces and interesting art. The grounds are also beautiful to visit.
Home of Mabry Binnicker
804 Elizabeth St.
This beautifully restored home is a quintessential classic Key West “eyebrow” style, complete with two saw tooth additions. The present owner, who is a realtor, has given new life to this 19th century gem, with vaulted ceilings, a new kitchen and new floors. Along the way, he has been careful to preserve the Dade County pine walls in the older parts of the house. Upstairs, there are even some of the original floors. This home is a great example of the transition from old eyebrow to a comfortable home that reflects today’s lifestyle. The owner has decorated with white seating, curtains and linen for a bright, airy look. A patio and 36’ pool have recently been added. This home was the subject of the TV program “In a Fix”, a few years ago.
Home of Jeff Leep and Ben Teague
1421 Eliza St.
Compact can be beautiful. This charming home shows what can be done to manage space in a cigar maker’s cottage. The owners, a contractor/decorator team, used their taste, ingenuity and flair to expand space where none seemed to exist. A long closet hides behind a partition in back of the bed in a bedroom. A ceiling in the same bedroom was lowered to create a loft overhead, accessed by a circular staircase. Indian slate tile covers the floors and adds enhancement to the diminutive pool. White paneling, molding and door trims offer contrast to the dark leather furniture and the walls, which have been painted in colors of stone, taupe tobacco and beige. The pretty garden, accessed from the kitchen, has also been designed with compact space in mind.
Home of Dick Duane and Robert Thixton
3 and 4 Pinder Lane
This extraordinary property is owned by two New York businessmen with ties to the music, theater and literary scene. Nestled at the end of a lane off William Street, the original house was built circa 1853, but changes were made in 1884, 1964 and in the early ‘70s, which expanded the home to include small guest cottages on a very large lot, complete with two pools. When the present owners purchased the guest house (#4) and renovated it from 1987-1989, the restoration of the home received awards from the National Trust. Many celebrities have been entertained within the walls of the home, and the piano has been played by some very famous people, including Leonard Bernstein. The home is filled with personal memorabilia, art and travel mementos. The property has two wells, one of them believed to be an old Indian well. The gardens are spacious and beautifully landscaped.
Home of Patricia and James Kemp
730 Eaton St.
No other property in Key West can boast of the same provenance as this one. In the mid 19th century, Green Turtle Bay native Captain John Bartlum built a home in Abaco in the Bahamas. In 1847, he disassembled it and brought it over on a schooner. He rebuilt it on the outskirts of Key West, before the streets in our tiny settlement were even laid out. This is one of only two homes brought over in this way. (The second one is behind it, on William St.). Over the years, the home has been restored by various owners and at one time it was a museum. The present owners of the home have maintained it as a comfortable, homey residence, with a pleasant garden, outside living area and pool. A visit into Key West’s fascinating past.
