One of the things I love most about the Florida Keys is how our homes each seem to tell their own story. Walk through Key West, or drive down the Overseas Highway, and you’ll spot all kinds of quirky details—gingerbread trim, rainbow shutters, stilt foundations, and even houses with “eyebrows.” Yes, eyebrows! Living here, you get used to architecture that’s colorful, practical, and just a little whimsical.
Conch Homes and Gingerbread Details
The classic conch home is a staple of Key West. You’ll recognize it right away: tin roofs, pastel paint, big porches, and those delicate gingerbread details along the eaves. That gingerbread trim looks like it came straight out of a storybook, and it gives these homes a unique charm you won’t find anywhere else. I can tell you from personal experience—I own a home with gingerbread detailing, and it was one of the reasons I fell in love with it and bought it! Of course, the design wasn’t just about being pretty—wide porches helped keep houses cool long before air conditioning, and the raised foundations added a layer of protection from flooding.
Living on Stilts
Head a little further up the Keys, and you’ll see plenty of homes lifted high on stilts. It’s not just a design quirk—it’s survival. Stilts keep the living space above potential floodwaters, and during hurricane season, that extra height matters. The bonus? Room underneath for parking, storage, or even the perfect shady spot to hang a hammock.
Eyebrow Houses: Shady and Stylish
Now, let’s talk about the eyebrow house, one of Key West’s most iconic designs. Picture a house with windows that peek out from under an overhanging roofline—like little eyebrows shading their eyes. The design is clever and practical: it keeps the upstairs cooler by blocking direct sun, while still letting breezes flow through. Functional and fashionable, island-style.
Shotgun Houses: Narrow but Full of Charm
Another classic you’ll spot is the shotgun house. These homes are long and narrow, often just one room wide, with doors lined up front to back. Why the design? Back in the day, it made for great airflow—open the front and back doors, and the breeze carries straight through. It’s simple, efficient, and perfect for island living.
Shutters with Personality
Of course, no Keys home is complete without shutters. They’re built to protect during storms, but down here, people have fun with them. From bold tropical colors to hand-painted dolphins or pineapples, shutters are functional and full of personality—much like the people who live behind them.
Quirky, Charming, and Totally Keys
The architecture of the Florida Keys is more than just buildings—it’s a reflection of our lifestyle. It’s practical enough to handle island weather, but never too serious to skip a splash of color or a little whimsy. Whether it’s a conch house with gingerbread trim, a stilted home with an ocean view, or an eyebrow cottage peeking from behind the palms, each one has a charm all its own.
And if you’ve ever thought about finding a Keys home with its own personality, I’d be happy to help you track down the one that feels just right.
