Dream House | Rustic St Elizabeth Cottage Filled with Old-Time J’can Charm
Take a warm bubble bath outdoors, heated by a coal pot below, with water flowing in through a bamboo from above.
The lonely country road snakes its way high through the Santa Cruz mountains, some 2,300 above sea level, to the bracing climes of the town of Malvern, St Elizabeth. Here, we have unwittingly arrived at an anomalous address that by all appearances, is lost in the middle of nowhere.
But the more we linger and familiarise ourselves with the three-acre site, the more we realize that we have stumbled upon an architectural exemplar, echoing a memory of old-time Jamaica with unbelievable components.
Just look around as your senses become overwhelmed by the quaint, roughly hewn and assembled nature of the comprehensive wooden cottage, crowned with its own sleeping loft, watching over the intoxicating outdoors.
The slightly elevated, timber ground floor sleeping section intersects with a bathroom, living and dining space, built-in bar, and a kitchen – actualizing a snug atmosphere.
The interior is casually appointed with locally crafted furniture and accessorized with Jamaican relics and all manner of hanging wall items.
A columned porch greets you at the front, with a back patio roofed in bamboo pieces for you to kick back and jubilate.
Spending time on the outside here awakens your inner being, with countless melodious sounding birds, two mesmeric fish ponds, a bamboo walk, a vegetable garden, and the sight of rabbits and chickens.
For further outdoor entertainment and pleasure, a cascade of emotions overcomes you with an open-air bamboo enclosed shower, an alfresco dining area, a bar and barbecue grill, and a fire-pit seating section. Don’t miss the sensational old bath tub (with a coal pot underneath it) for heated, herbal bubble baths, with water shooting from an overhead bamboo directly into it. A true cathartic experience!
Who resides in such a place, may we ask? Two sisters, who lived in New York, USA, one a nurse, the other, a restaurateur, both retired home to Jamaica. They had eagerly joined their other sister here, searching for and purchasing this lot, spending two years constructing on it.
The trio overcame a point of distress during the COVID pandemic when they thought of shutting down the building site indefinitely. But with faith and conviction they didn’t, but endured.
We thank them for the imagination and courage shown in this architectural accomplishment.
In the heart of the Santa Cruz mountains, a hidden gem sits atop a three-acre plot of land, captivating all who stumble upon it. This rustic cottage, infused with old-time Jamaican charm, immerses visitors in a sensory experience like no other. The wooden structure boasts a sleeping loft, bathroom, living and dining space, built-in bar, and kitchen, all artfully constructed with local materials. Adorned with Jamaican relics and handcrafted furniture, the interior exudes a cozy ambiance.
The cottage invites guests to indulge in the outdoors, offering a columned porch at the front and a bamboo-roofed back patio, perfect for relaxation. Immerse yourself in nature’s symphony, as melodious birdsongs fill the air, two picturesque fish ponds captivate your gaze, and a bamboo walk leads you through enchanting scenery. For those seeking rejuvenation, an open-air bamboo enclosed shower awaits, alongside an alfresco dining area, a bar and barbecue grill, and a fire-pit seating section. But the true marvel lies in the old bath tub—a visionary creation—where a coal pot underneath heats the water flowing from an overhead bamboo, allowing for luxurious herbal bubble baths and a truly cathartic experience.
This captivating haven is the brainchild of two sisters, both retired and hailing from New York, USA. Their shared dream brought them back to their Jamaican roots, as they joined their sister in searching for the perfect location and dedicated two years to materialize their vision. Despite the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, their unwavering faith and determination prevailed, allowing them to create this architectural masterpiece.
The awe-inspiring cottage stands as a testament to their imagination and courage, offering a glimpse into the rich history and charm of Jamaica. Surrounded by nature’s beauty and steeped in the cultural heritage of the island, this retreat promises an unforgettable experience for all who have the privilege of visiting.
Whether you yearn for idyllic serenity or an adventure immersed in Jamaican authenticity, the rustic St Elizabeth cottage is a destination that promises to transport you to a bygone era, enveloped in breathtaking natural wonders and the warmth of traditional Jamaican hospitality.
