Victorian style homes distinguish Old Town; tourist take pictures, the Conch Tour Train narrates the building’s stories and the architectural review board ensures the continuity of character. And, yet, not all the homes in the district have the same style or patina of age.
Richard Logan’s residence is on the Old Island Restoration Foundation House Tours as an example of a modern house. The tour — called “Historic Key West: A Living City” features five private homes constructed over 123 years. The tours are Friday and Saturday, Feb. 14-15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Logan has lived all over Asia, designing buildings, and his travels have found their way into his living space.
“Our home definitely has some Asian influence. The Japanese are very stylish,” said Logan, a retired architect.
When he purchased the 50-year-old home seven years ago, it was a dull concrete block home. Now it is a modern marvel worthy of a glossy magazine layout.
“The fountain in the back was inspired by the movie ‘Stargate’s’ transportation rings,” said Logan.
Along with the elegant lattices, statues and structural design, Logan also pieced together much of the furniture and accessories to make a cohesive style. The only original room in the home is the guest bathroom, but Logan added his creativity to that space, too.
“The vanity I made for the bathroom actually came from two $10 mirrors and a frame I built,” he said.
Logan also incorporated “slate” porcelain tiles that are easy to keep clean and several windows in an addition to bring the outside in.
His partner, Jack Henry Jr., is a semi-retired professor with a doctoral degree in music composition. Henry painted the majority of the home’s artwork and said his tropical foliage pieces are inspired by the home’s landscaping.
“The large front palm is a true specimen, a Roebelenii Reclinata Hybrid with nine trunks. Mama’s Garden helped us find a plant that will really stick out amongst others in town,” said Henry.
Tickets ($30) and tour information are on the Old Island Restoration Foundations website, oirf.org. The Foundation also gives tours of the Oldest House in South Florida, located at 322 Duval St. The house and gardens are free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. everyday except Sunday and Wednesday.
