This rare, highly sought-after custom Sam Stoltz Tudor Revival cottage is on County Road 435 in Sorrento, Florida.
Home’s History
Constructed in 1926, This charming Florida Storybook Home is dubbed by the community as “The Gingerbread House.” It has a long history.
According to Mary St. Clair, the current owner, “it is one of about five or six remaining homes that were designed by Sam Stoltz back in the 1920s.” Being both an architect and an artist, Stoltz signed almost every one of the residences.
Pointed archways, rounded corners, pecky cypresses everywhere, and wall murals are some of the characteristics that define the so-called “Plymouthonian” residences (so named because they are near Mount Plymouth, Florida).
Looking Into The Details
Highlights include the original murals. The original paint is intact on the flamingo over the garage.
According to St. Clair, there is another mural that is original and fitted into the exterior chimney.
Stoltz’s initials are included on a painting depicting a large fish that is located on the fireplace facing within.
Before selling the house to a nearby doctor, Stoltz occupied it for a few years.
As far as St. Clair is aware, the doctor and her were the only owners when she purchased it in 1981. So, the majority of the original features of the house are still intact.
Around the House
Inside The House
In the bathroom, there are other unique paintings and a few bird designs.
“Since the wall paint was so distinctive, I made no changes to it. I wouldn’t change it because, in my opinion, it contributes to Sam Stoltz’s artistic appeal,” the owner says.
The pictures of the bathroom’s paint have put some people off, however, the paint is limited to the walls. It looks like sponge paint, Clair jokes, “I’ve seen some comments about it; it’s not mold.” That’s how it’s supposed to be splotchy.
Additionally exclusive to Stoltz are the brown tile in the upstairs bathroom and the mosaic floors in a few of the lower-level rooms.”It’s Italian tile, and it’s thicker than tile nowadays,” she explains.
The 1st floor features the kitchen with an ornate breakfast nook, formal dining room, living room with custom stone fireplace & French doors out to the porch, and patio with a water feature. There’s also a half bath.
The kitchen has a distinctive archway and more recent cabinets. According to St. Clair, “It’s forming the corner of kind of an entryway into this alcove, where you can put a table.”
Another oddball twist? The edges are not square, Clair says, “Almost every edge in the place is rounded.” “This fairytale home’s characteristic would disappear if the curves were replaced with angles. It reminds me a bit of a miniature hobbit house.
The two bedrooms and the well-designed bathroom are located up the pecky cypress staircase.
Up the custom staircase, trimmed in beautiful pecky cypress are the 2 bedrooms, with charming multipaned windows and a full bath with the original colorful Mexican tile.
The locals are definitely drawn to the house. It is recognizable. It is regarded as an icon in the neighborhood.