found at the southernmost tip of the continental United States, key West, Florida, is surrounded by lovely turquoise waters, breathtaking sunsets as well as charming city streets. It also features one of America’s most unique residential properties: the former house of Nobel Prize-winning author Ernest Hemingway. step back in time as well as tour the remarkable as well as eccentric house that witnessed one of the most prolific composing periods in Hemingway’s career.

The house was developed in 1851 as well as was resided in by Hemingway as well as his household from 1931 to 1939. now a public museum, the two-storey Spanish Colonial home still retains its original limestone façade as well as reclaimed cheery yellow shutters.

Photographer: Christy Transier Photography

For book lovers, stepping into Hemingway’s personal studio is sure to be a dream come true. Hemingway composed a few of his most famous works while living in the Florida Keys, including The eco-friendly Hills Of Africa, To have as well as have Not as well as most notably, For Whom The Bell Tolls. Hemingway’s original typewriter, leather composing chair as well as a collection of treasured novels have been preserved as he left them.

Photographer: Rob O’Neal Photography

Large, round-top windows radiate lots of light into the striking yellow as well as black upstairs bathroom. Cement tiles patterned in a bird as well as fish theme add a dash of whimsy into the utilitarian space, while antique furniture pieces are similar to the early twentieth century. Hemingway’s bathroom was one of the very first on the island to be furnished with indoor plumbing as well as running water.

Photographer: Christy Transier Photography

Hemingway’s second wife, Pauline, had her chandelier collection shipped from Paris to key West when she as well as Hemingway bought the house. Her glass as well as porcelain fixtures replaced all of the home’s original ceiling fans. The eighteenth century walnut dining table as well as eclectic sculptures were carefully maintained by the family.

Photographer: Christy Transier Photography

Also unique to the house is the built-in Italian marble fireplace. Hemingway liked art, so it’s fitting that a series of framed paintings as well as photos surrounds the fireplace, including one of Hemingway that was hung when the museum opened.

Photographer: Christy Transier Photography

Like his other half Pauline, Hemingway avidly collected furniture. The ornate, dark wood Spanish headboard is the highlight of the master bedroom as well as is believed to date back to the 17th or 18th century. Avant-garde pineapple lamps add flare to the bedroom’s otherwise traditional furnishings.

Photographer: Christy Transier Photography

One of the most unique features of the grounds is the two-piece water fountain, the base of which was when a working urinal at Hemingway’s preferred key West bar, Sloppy Joe’s Bar. When the location moved places in 1937, Hemingway remarked to the owner that he had spent sufficient money at the bar to own a little piece of it; in return, he was gifted the colorful, flower-patterned urinal. Pauline Hemingway quickly had it decorated with an old Spanish olive oil jar from Cuba, as well as fitted it with plumbing.

Photographer: Christy Transier Photography

Dark hardwood floors balance out an antiquetufted sofa, which can be discovered in one of the home’s more formal living areas. handsome black corkscrew-shaped candleholders flank either side of the sofa, while tropical plants as well as floor-to-ceiling windows bring the natural beauty of Florida indoors.

Photographer: Christy Transier Photography

In the Hemingway kitchen, deep red Spanish-style tiles contrast against faded peach-colored cupboards as well as off-white walls.

Photographer: Christy Transier Photography

While Hemingway paid only $8,000 for his home, the built-in pool expense a staggering $20,000 to complete. built during the winter of 1937-1938, the pool was developed utilizing solid coral as well as stays the largest on key West to this day at 24 feet wide, 60 feet long as well as 10 feet at its deepest point.

Hemingway was apparently so angered by the pool’s tremendous expense that he pressed a cent into the concrete during its construction, exclaiming, “You may also have my last penny!” The cent can still be viewed today.

Photographer: By Abujoy (Own work) via Wikimedia Commons