April 11, 2019

The Cedar Key Arts Center held its Home Tour on Saturday, March 9. This year’s tour was of Tiny Homes, homes that are 1,000 square feet or less. Although the Arts Center did not order the weather, it was another beautiful day in Cedar Key.

All attendees were delighted to see the tiny homes. Most of the homes featured bright bold colors that are decidedly Cedar Key in nature . Bold colors were also prevalent in the art and decorations, with local artists’ works featured in the homes. High ceilings and open floor plans were showcased in the tiny homes.

According to Donna Bushnell, all 200 tickets were sold. Bushnell states that all the funds collected will go to the general fund for electricity, water, and basic maintenance for the Cedar Key Arts Center. Friends who call themselves the Soggy Bottom girls, accompanied Bushnell. The Soggy Bottom girls (pictured) have been hanging out and enjoying their 40 years of friendship. They met yearly to check off an item on each other’s bucket list. Why ‘Soggy Bottom Girls.” They like to sit in the surf until the water reaches their bottoms. The Soggy Bottoms were all delighted with the tour.

Here are some thoughts from attendees. “Such creative designs and decorations,” from Susan Jacobson. “The decorations are so gorgeous,” observed Claire Snyder, who was on the tour with her sister, Jill Snyder. Jan Hendrix observed, “The houses are deceiving, there is so much room.” Santa Blouse said her mother had lived in the house on F Street. Sister Oretha Collins Mills pronounced the tour, “Wonderful.”

Anne Morgan, acting as docent at 809 Fifth Street, brought out that the ceiling beams and the windows were salvaged from the old Sea Breeze restaurant. All the owners were extremely hospitable.

Why live in a tiny house? There were multiple answers from downsizing to Bernie Sturr’s reason, “Not that much to clean.” Do you ever feel claustrophobic? “No, the high ceilings and open floor plan give the house a spacious feel,” was Cindy Leiner’s answer.

However, a tiny house can have some interesting challenges. Paul Dietrich on Fifth Street had to put the bunk beds together in the bunkroom and stated that Laurie was the only one small enough to get around the beds to change sheets.

The homes, the hospitality of the hosts, the friendly crowd, the artwork, and the perfect weather combined to make another wonderful Cedar Key experience.