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Charming cottage built on iconic Kirkwood Ave just blocks to the Square and the best of everything Bloomington has to offer. IU, restaurants, bars, shops, breweries, and the B-Line are mere minutes away. The home has a town-and-country vibe with ample natural light and farmhouse style, large backyard, patio and grill, off-street parking in driveway for 2 cars, and bus stop next door.
Well-behaved dogs considered. Ask host for details.
**With cold and flu season upon us, enjoy added peace of mind with enhanced cleaning protocols** All In Bloom Rentals staff are trained to ensure a "spotless and sparkling" stay, but now they are also required to complete additional sanitizing steps, including a Lysol-brand fragrance- and dye-free sanitizer designed specifically for bed and bath linens. Stay well!
Note that Kirkwood is a lively, bustling street in the tightly gridded historic Prospect Hill neighborhood. In recent years, Bloomington has leaned in to its urban side near downtown but remains overall a safe and civil city with a small town feel. That being said, guests should expect to encounter a wide variety of nearby street, human, and (yes!) even pet noise. Ear plugs and white noise machines are provided for your comfort and convenience.
The home was built in 1900, is bigger than it looks (1132 sq ft), and definitely has a "this old house" personality. Inspired by the vintage farmhouse ceramic sink in the kitchen, the decor has a shabby chic rustic vibe. But to make your stay as comfortable as possible, modern amenities and updates abound: keyless entry, 43" Roku TV, high speed Wifi, top-of-the-line mattresses and soft bed linens, light-filtering curtains in king bedroom and room-darkening in queen bedroom, a well appointed kitchen with stainless steel appliances (refrigerator, microwave, and stove), a darling outdoor patio with plenty of seating, gas grill, Keurig-style and regular coffeemaker, multi-device charging stations, and more. There is also a well-lit, quiet, cozy reading/working alcove in the very back of the house.
Bedroom 1 has a queen bed with a high quality mattress, plush pillows, and soft sheets.
Bedroom 2 has a king bed with a high quality mattress, plush pillows, and soft sheets.
The bathroom is small and cozy and features a gorgeous, vintage clawfoot tub. The tub does not have a grab bar. Guests with mobility limitations may not be able to access the tub. The base of the tub is several inches above the floor due to the clawfoot design, making it difficult to step in and out. A step stool is provided for your convenience.
The living room has seating for five. 43" Roku TV provided with some free programming, or you can stream your favorite premium channels on your own subscription accounts.
The entire cottage, patio, backyard, and private driveway (parking for 2 vehicles) are available for your use.
The garage, shed, outbuildings, and side yard on the east side of the house are not for guest use. Do not approach the small outbuilding in the southeast corner of the yard marked. Do not allow children to play in or around it.
You may use the washer and dryer, but be aware that there may already be laundry in them, because I use them to wash linens between guests. If there is laundry in the dryer, please place it in the hamper by the dryer.
Please feel free to contact me if anything arises that requires my attention. It is my sincere hope that you will experience a perfectly comfortable, uneventful stay, but I'm only a text or short drive away if there's any issue that does not meet your expectations. Note that I may not check messages between 11pm-8am.
I live in Bloomington on the east side. I do stop by briefly Sundays-Wednesdays to manage the trash and recycling. If you prefer privacy, just message me and put the bins on Kirkwood, 4 feet apart on Monday night. Pick up is Tuesday. Replace them by outside spigot next to the house. I also do yard work and mow the lawn as needed and will notify you when I do so.
The neighborhood is in the Prospect Hill Historic District on Bloomington's near west side, easy walking distance to downtown and a few minutes drive to IU. Homes in this tightly-gridded but charming neighborhood are a mix of single-family homes and rentals, and many have recently or are currently undergoing restoration. The home is just blocks from the Square, Bloomington Transit Center, The WonderLab, The B-Line Trail, Building Trades Park, Switchyard Park, new and established eateries and breweries, historic Rose Hill Cemetery, and more.
The Cottage is situated right across Kirkwood from Artisan Alley--a co-work space, art gallery, and studio. It is close to neighbors on 2 sides, but separated on the east by trees, vegetation, and a creek, and on the west by the alley. Note that Kirkwood Avenue is a main thoroughfare through the heart of Bloomington. Expect noise. Street, human, and pet noise is the norm. Earplugs and white noise machines are provided for your comfort and convenience.
Just minutes from I-69 and 8 blocks to the Square. The bus stop is literally right next door. Free off-street parking for 2 cars on site. The B-Line Trail is just a few blocks away and runs the length of the city and beyond.
Carefully read the terms in the House Rules and House Manual. By booking The Cottage on Kirkwood, you affirm you have read, understand, and will comply with all rules and policies. You also agree to have all guests read and review the onsite house manual.