Lease of the Week: Unique 1930s Mediterranean Cottage in University Park Packs in The Charm

There are two reasons I love this listing:

1) This home is seriously adorable and not at all what you’d expect from a home in University Park, where restrained architecture and transitional style reigns supreme. Cozy and colorful, with original details in the most unexpected places, it is a treasure trove of architectural interest.

2) This home is packed to the gills with a lifetime’s worth of worldly collectables. Exotic pelts, antiques, African statues and masks, Moroccan textiles, and Spanish tile cover the floors, walls, and even ceilings of this beautiful home.

Jump for an inside look!

Listed with Allie Beth Allman agent Pam Dyer, this beautiful Mediterranean home at 3544 Rankin Street is overflowing with charm. It has four bedrooms, three full baths, two living areas, a master suite, and tons of cozy nooks throughout its 14 rooms and more than 2,600 square feet. You can lease this adorable home fit for a free spirit for $7,500 a month.

Is there a more bohemian home in University Park? I think not! It is seriously beautiful in the most quirky way, with a beautiful courtyard lovely terra cotta tile roof. The exterior is a gorgeous stucco, and the details are just so beautiful from the street. The vaulted and beamed ceilings are amazing, and the spaces are just full of texture and life! I love the cool lamp in the keeping room, which looks like a Moroccan oil lamp cover. The fireplace and mantle are gorgeous, as are the carved bi-fold doors. Arched doorways and tile floors make this home a magical maze of detail.

Something you won’t see on the street is a sign. Considering the location, it’s not a bad idea to keep down on the visual pollution. Of course, the plus is that you’re just across the street from one of the best parks in all of University Park: Curtis Park. You can see the fountains from the property, which is just perfect.

The kitchen is absolutely tiny, though, and very outdated. I’m pretty sure a lot of the tile is close to original to the home, and the cabinetry may be, too, though it looks like it might be from the 1960s or ’70s. It’s only 11 x 11, so this home is for only the once-in-a-while cook, or someone who subsists on mostly takeout or heat-and-eat meals. The mosaic tile floor is so beautiful, though.

There are four fireplaces, which are sure to keep you warm this winter. And the master suite is so fun, with two levels and a lovely bathroom with some amazing tile on the walls and floor. I would never leave this gorgeous haven for a world traveler. Honestly, this home feels like a vacation! What do you think?