Cory, where do you sleep? I couldn't figure it out from the pictures.

Good for you for keeping your independence! The garden looks magical.

Wow...not sure what to say. First, kudos for your lifestyle choice. Gotta say, this would make me crazy, waaaay too much stuff. I do like the large paintings up the wall, but sweetie, HOW do you live calmly in all that stuff? I noticed a lot of stuff piled on your stove, how do you cook? Invite me down, I will be happy to help you orgainze and keep some of your more interesting and functional pieces to make your cute little cottage more usable and have more room for your little dog to move around in. It has GREAT potential and you have wonderful ideas, just need to really lighten your load. Would love to live there too. Love the usage garden, just a lot of it.

there is ALOT of things in there with you. I like the garden best.

I love the space itself, as well as the art and the beautiful garden. The clutter would drive me crazy, but everyone has a different tolerance for that kind of thing.

Wow you have a lot of books. I love your art work and am amazed by the garden. Wish we could have seen your garden and chicken coop.

Your paintings are really nice. I agree with others..your place is a little small for all of those things. You have a lot of books, and I know what that's like, but it just doesn't seem like there's enough space for everything to have its own place. Stuff on the stove, knick knacks in front of the TV, half the sofa obscured by a sewing table.. it's great you're independent, but doesn't this make it hard to be social?

With some serious de-cluttering, this *could* be a great little space. It's Key West and you have that lovely garden, so it's not like you need to stay inside all the time anyway.

I love it just the way it is. Don't change a thing.

^ I agree. I love it too. Some people find it calming to be surrounded by their stuff.

Love the paintings and the garden!! But your 'stuff' is a bit overwhelming for the small space. Otherwise, it's a well loved home!

Love it!!

you could edit the interior, I think, but that's really up to you. I would feel a bit claustrophobic with all that stuff; on the other hand, it's probably a pretty magical place for little ones (assuming there are any little ones!) to visit.

The garden is 100% completely wonderful! good on you for maintaining your independence. :)

^^ I three agree! Besides who needs to entertain inside when you live in Key West?! That garden is amazing! Though I also worry about where you sleep. Outside in a hammock? Girl, you are living the dream!

Beautiful! It sounds & looks like you are living your life to the fullest!
I've been to key west and if I could live there in a small space, I would! It is a beautiful and friendly place. Good for you!

Waahhhh! I just saw the "clothing optional" sign! Excellent!

Delightful!
For those who comment about 'stuff" remember when you are fortunate to live in Key West, you get to be outside most of the time. Cory, one trick/suggestion for you. Put a shelf above the window , I can see that there is some very useable space for your books there, I use this trick in bathrooms on rentals I own. Always seems there is space above the door and a good place for towels and extra supplies in the bath area.

You are living my dream. I would exchange my 994 sq ft home in Sun City for this space.

How do you get up the stairs to the bed area with all that stuff on your stairs? I agree with there being a LOT of stuff in here, but that just isnt my taste, and if you love it, thats good!

As a senior citizen, are you worried about mobility in regards to a loft bed?

@glamtart - There is a loft bed above the kitchen. It's also shown in the floorplan.

I'm impressed that you live in such a small space and I love the garden.
As others have mentioned, the amount of stuff you have would feel overwhelming to me in a small space.

I agree completely with you about not putting people in "old folks homes", which are often dismal, uninspiring, and mixed up with people of all levels of mobility, health, and mental ability. I think anyone who had a little place with a pretty garden, nice paintings and books, and things to do would live a longer healthier life.

I love it !

Thank you for all your comments.
I know got lots of stuff, need to do a major thinning again...just have a hard time parting with my books....
This is Key West, So I spend a lot of my time outside, entertaining, reading and napping.I am 3 blocks to the beach, who needs to be inside...I grow my own vegetables and herbs, so I eat a lots of salad and fruits. Cooking? Have a electric skillet should I decide to cook something, so the stove is best serve as storage, eh? Wish I have more space to show my garden, it is sooo wonderful. Tourist always stop to take pictures..
Cheers,
Cory

Aww. I grew up in Florida and these pictures make me homesick. I love your subtropical jungle-esque garden and the way you've arranged you art. The bright colors and florals look great against the light interior. It's a lot fresher than the typical pastel Florida decor. The overall effect is cheerful and cozy. By the way, it makes me really happy to see people of all ages on Apartment Therapy!

Your place is lovely and your garden is GORGEOUS, Cory! Thank you for sharing it—it sounds like you're loving your life, and we just don't hear enough stories like that. Those of us reading who aren't seniors yet should all hope to be like you someday!

To anybody tryna start something about "too much stuff": I bet you have way, way more. You just don't live in the equivalent of a 13' x 14' room.

I think I *just* made a pledge to myself to be a senior citizen in Key West one day. So glad you entered your home-- thanks for letting us see how you live!

love the garden, what a special place!

Very interesting space and lots to look at, but it's too cluttered.

The homeowner notes that she has an "Ipad for reading, books, and magazines-no more cable TV" yet there are stacks of books everywhere and bottles and vases covering the front of the TV. She also says it forces her to be "organized and neat" and I guess I'm just not seeing that from the pictures. She could install a microwave range hood in her kitchen and free up precious counterspace to the left of the sink instead of having a microwave on the counter and stacks of paper and clutter on the stove top. I'm not following how you get up to the bed...it looks like the stairs are completely blocked off by books and miscellaneous items? This has the potential to be a really cute little place especially if it is in Key West but needs a little editing and some more creative storage solutions...looks like she has lots of room to go vertical with the storage. But kudos on being able to keep your independence and live in a place most people never even get to visit.

Cory! Thanks for sharing :) I'm super jealous. Too bad we can't see more pictures of your garden - it looks amazing. Sounds like you have a wonderful life down there in Key West. Cheers.

Agree with many of the other commenters - while your place is artsy and colorful, I simply couldn't live with that much visual overload. Although your things appear to have some organization, it just looks like clutter to me. Sorry! Glad you love it though.

I am having a love and hate relationship w/ your place. =) love it, 'cause it's got full of personality and personal touch. hate it (ok, it's a really strong word here), 'cause it's so clutter that my mind wouldn't be able to breathe at all. But, as long as it works for you, who are we to judge? =) Good luck!!

This is my retirement plan, a little cottage somewhere beautiful.

When I grow up I want to live just like you. Maybe minus a wee but of stuff but otherwise, what more can one ask for later in life but a room of one's own, a comfy bed, books, art, sun, and fresh food just outside the back door. Kudos to you for all you are doing and the lovely, homey space you are doing it in.

I thought about it... and i love it :)
To be honest, many of the houses you show are so tidy and clean and sometimes suspiciously empty. Finally a real home! :)

Ladytiffknee's comment got me thinking. There is a design sub-speciality regarding "aging in place", i.e. designing homes that work for people over their life span. This could potentially be a really interesting feature on AT.

Lady, obviously you are living a LOT (-:

Cory, I love that you have this happy place to call "home."

This doesn't look like hoarding, but just lack of closets, cabinets, or another room to use for books, sewing, computer/office space, et al. My only concern is how often you climb those stairs to the loft area, since you have books on the top 2 stairs. We can't keep chickens in Phoenix on lots less than 10K sq ft., and my garden is mostly low-water desert-type plants. I envy you your garden, and chickens for fresh eggs. You're doing it right in the Keys! (minus the hurricane season :-)

I love the garden. I can't wait to one day have an outdoor tropical space-- and I'm impressed with the fact you have chickens. I definitely don't see "organized and neat" either. Building in additional shelving or boxing things may help with the clutter. I would have liked to see a bed shot.

I love it!! Kudos to you for being brave enough to downsize this far! I think of my grandma and her 2,000 square feet and it being stuffed full of stuff....you have done so well! Your house looks loved and lived in....one of my favorites, truly!

Wonderful...

As a native of the Conch Republic I'm happy to see a entry from the Keys.

I can't imagine how hard it is to edit down your life to 188sq ft, so kudos for you for doing that.

Cory, your artwork and garden are awesome, but I agree, you need to edit down and also better use the space. It's tough with only 188 square feet, but maybe move your bookcase to wall near stairs so it's not blocking the window, which would let in more light for your sewing and allow you a better view of your garden. Transferring CDs and books to the iPad would clear out a lot of space (you'd need speakers for your iPad). Removing some stuff would give you a little more elbow room, make cleaning even easier, and shift the focus to your garden, artwork, and overall style and personality of your charming home.

I really envy you and admire that you have all the stuff you love in 188 sq. ft. and on top of that you are a senior citizen. So am I and lately all I think about is downsizing. You are going to be one of my roll models to get going Kudos for you! Love the Garden and even the layout but, do agree that you can do some weeding out. Great that you can get to the beach!

Great space. I'm impressed with what you manage to do with 188 sq ft. For all those who say it's a cluttered space, there's actually not that much in there, it's just a really tiny space.

The garden is lovely too. I also went for a small space in order to have a (small) garden.

I admire anyone who can live in 188 sq ft! But I do agree with the poster who suggested mounting a shelf above the window/sliding door- it will open up the space a little more, and you wouldn't even have to move any artwork!

Cory, I love your independent spirit and agree that sustainable homes for seniors is a WAY better idea than more nursing homes.

I'm pretty minimalist, so this freaked me out a bit at first. Then I read Cory's comments and it all made sense.

Cory, you rock, and so does your place.

Good for you for taking care of yourself and staying independent u got my vote

I love your garden. And I love those paintings.
This is a very cozy and personal home. (Unlike some)

Cory- omg don't change a thing.

I love the abundance of it and I love your artwork.

It looks like you *are* organized-you've just got a lot of projects going on.

you are a senior citizen but this doesn't look "grandma" to me.

I LOVE your space. Wonderful, wonderful. So full of joy and life.

Your space is gorgeous. Yes, it's more crowded than I would personally want to live in...but I've known people in much larger spaces with way more clutter, and displayed in a less visually appealing manner, too.

I'm also reassured that you mention you rarely use the stove; that was my only real *concern* looking at the space. Now? It just looks really cozy!

I really love it when it looks like someone really LIVES in a space! There is something wrong with a person who has to put all the items that depict their interests out of sight of others. The term "neat freak" is very telling...especially the "freak" part. I realize other minimalist contestants may just want to put every extranious item out of sight for their entry photos and don't really live that way all the time, but sometimes those look like accomodations rather than homes.

I do agree with others who would like to know if you do sleep in the loft bed, because of the books and stuff on the stairs.

What a wonderful senior life! So much better than the highlight of the day being the time spent in the community room playing bingo.

Cory, I hear you and congrats, clearly you are doing your thing..But could not be me..lol!

I don't now why you don't have more likes. you are MEGA AWESOME COOLISCIOUS..YOU GO GIRL!

I used to live in Key West. It's a magical place. And you must love living there as a senor citizen.

I love your garden. Key West is known for its abundance of lush, tropical vegetation and showy plants.

Your place has a little too much "stuff" for my style, but isn't it wonderful that we are all different?

I am so happy to see another senior represented in the contest. Wish they would do a whole piece on senior housing like this. Definitely different from the norm for our age, and I love it, you, and your wonderful outlook on life. Having downsized to 264 sq ft. myself, I would be the first to say you have done a magnificent job. All you clutter hobes out there need to remember that most people have more clutter in just one closet than you have in your entire home! You are using and loving your stuff daily, not hoarding it away needlessly. PS, I kept my beloved sewing machine too! You have my vote : )

Sorry, my iPad hasn't learned to spell yet. I meant clutterphobes!

Bravo...I love your home! The atmosphere comes through in the photos, and it's good.

I love your home too!! How I wish to one day also have a small intimate lil home like this! And I know all those things in your home are things you've saved from a very interesting life you've had - so much more to go though ;) Loves.

I'm confused. This is what I strive to make my apartment NOT look like. This is just a cluttered, average home. I mean, I'm glad she likes it and good for her for keeping her independence, the lifestyle sounds great, but I don't get why this would ever belong in a contest on an interior design site. What about this, exactly, is showing good design?

sweet, cheerful, little space! I love the art!

@holler...I don't get it either. It is a cluttered mess. Just because it is small doesn't mean it should have made it into this DESIGN contest.
I get the person is a senior citizen...but still...not a reason to include this in the contest.

Cory, I love your cozy little crib. You get to live next to the beach in gorgeous Key West my dream retirement spot next to Belize. I love your home cuz it looks lived in. If I want to see austere, antiseptic cribs I'll go to BHG or HGTV. I'm a stone's throw away from Sun City in Phoenix. I appreciate the cleanliess of it, but no personality to those perfect little cookie cutters. Your garden is tropical and lush, and dare I say it "sexy." You are my heroine I want to be like you, "gush" when I grow up. I respect that you are an independent chica living life to the fullest.

I've been having A/T delivered to my inbox for over a year. I signed up today to say thank you Cory. I'm no longer afraid to face the senior years alone. My books and sewing machine will definitely be coming with me.

Love your lifestyle choice! And the teeny-tiny place is too cute! I do think there is a lot of clutter, but who cares? Whatever floats your boat.

Thanks for letting us see how you really live as opposed to clearing it all away just for the pictures. I love your garden. I never would have guessed you were a senior citizen from looking at your home.

Cory,
I am so impressed with your lifestyle and independence. I am especially jealous that you have fresh eggs! Yes, I think you should clear a little clutter, but for a different reason. Climbing over books on your way to bed is risking a fall that could severely limit your mobility. My Grammie was a spitfire, and watching her convalesce after a broken hip was heart-breaking. Keep yourself on your feet will ensure you can live in this darling place for years to come.

@melissapauline- I think that's a great idea. "Aging in Place" sounds similar to what I've heard called Universal design... homes built for a variety of ages and abilities. Often, the building of accessible spaces costs more (wider doors, etc) but that wouldn't be the case if more people demanded it.

30 years ago, when my grandparents built their home, they opted for wider halls and doorways, low threshholds, even a ramped sidewalk from the street. They didn't want their age or future mobility to be a factor in being able to live in their dream home. In my grandpa's words "We're going out of here feet first." And that's exactly how it went.

I'm sorry but this is very cluttered.

This reminds me of "Hoarders: Buried Alive." Not very functional when things are burying the stove. I have anxiety just looking at the photos. Good for you for loving the space you're in!