Caveat: This is not a property for small children or those with limited mobility.
I've always wondered what it would be like to live in a "high design" house (i.e. a home that is as much art as it is architecture).
Charles Harker (the architect of the Bloomhouse) created a truly unique space that evokes Gaudi. The location is wonderfully peaceful and quiet. Our stay was truly a once in a lifetime experience.
Now for practical matters. The kitchen is well outfitted and meticulously clean. The wifi works. The heating and cooling work perfectly. The bathroom is adorable (not the largest bathroom that you'll ever see, but you're basically staying inside a giant conch shell, so what do you expect?) but it is thoughtfully outfitted, functional and clean. Importantly, the water heater provided nice and toasty showers without fail. The bed and bedding are quite comfy. The sound system is a little tricky to use but it was nice that they had supplied a sound system so it was worth the few minutes to figure it out. I spotted a few flecks of dust (I am a bit of a maniac about dust so most people would never notice), but overall the property was very well maintained and clean. The property management was excellent about communication. I texted with an issue at 5pm on Good Friday and had a response within minutes. MINUTES. That alone earns extra bonus stars and I would highly recommend this property management firm (Lodgewell) for other rentals.
This is a home in a nice neighborhood in Austin so it's not a place to have a party or make noise. We had a few local friends over for cocktails one afternoon but we were very respectful of the neighbors in terms of parking (there is sufficient parking but you must follow the instructions!) and in terms of noise.
Although this house is stunning in photographs, in the end, we didn't take a lot of photos. It's an amazing property, yes, but experiencing the space was far more enjoyable than mugging for instagram. With that I would suggest those staying here take all the photos you want, but for just one morning put down the camera, open the patio doors, listen to the birds, and use the outdoor shower. Experience the space.
I'm so happy that this architectural gem was rescued from certain ruin and is available to the public. This house isn't for everyone (see note about small children and people with limited mobility), but it is a wonderful, well-maintained property that fit the bill.