Bright colors, floral patterns, and cottage styles are all design choices associated with the Florida Keys. Key West, one of the most famous tropical islands in the world, embodies the ideas of the Florida Keys while also presenting its own style and culture. In Leslie Linsley’s Key West Cottages and Gardens, lovers of the Key West architectural and design style will get a chance to look at beautiful photos of tropical homes as well as learn tips for living on the island from Leslie and residents.

Key West is home to a year-round population of about 35,000 with over one million travelers visiting throughout the year. Leslie’s intimate interviews with residents allow readers a peek into what Key West cottage living is really like, even some of the potential challenges. The interviews and photos in this book will show how people live in all different styles of cottages. Whether you’re a local who has made Key West home and want to learn new tips for living in your smaller, outdoor-friendly space or a tourist who loves the feeling and visuals of the Key West lifestyle, this book has you covered. Photos by Tamara Alvarez and home styling by Michael Pelkey.

Leslie Linsley is one of this country’s best-known authors of crafts, decorating and home-style books, which include over 70 titles. While in college majoring in journalism, Leslie sold her first book, Decoupage: A New Look at an Old Craft (Doubleday) It led to a long and successful career in publishing. For many years Linsley, with her graphic-designer husband Jon Aron, packaged and produced dozens of how-to craft books for major publishers. With the publication of Nantucket Style (Rizzoli International) in 1990 she then moved into writing books on architecture and interior design with a focus on lifestyle about how people decorate, renovate, restore, and live in their homes.

Aside from books about Nantucket and Key West, Fl, she has partnered with Country Living Magazine for several publications. Linsley divides her time between Nantucket Island and Key West and writes a weekly newspaper column, “At Home In Key West” for the Key West Citizen and contributes to many national magazines. Leslie has been a guest on Good Morning America, The Today Show and Oprah as well as numerous appearances on HGTV programs. For 15 years Linsley was the contributing craft editor for Family Circle Magazine.