Space to Soar

Noi Nest, a neighbor to Eau Gallie’s historic Rossetter House, reflects the architecture popular in the area during the Florida expansion of the late 1800s and early 1900s. JUSTIN CREDIBLE PHOTOS

Peacock tile hatched decor idea for historic vacation rental

The peacock tiles are what started it all. JUSTIN CREDIBLE PHOTOS

A sparkling white picket fence encircles the yard at 1296 Highland Ave., in the Eau Gallie Arts District in Melbourne. It leads the eye to a similarly gleaming arbor, which marks the entrance to a chirpy green cottage known as Noi Nest. 

It’s hard to believe the house is pushing 110 years. Everyone should grow old as gracefully. Though Noi Nest had a lot of help from its current owner, Crystal Canina, and multidisciplinary designer, Brian Ellison, of Brian Ellison Designs. They were the ones who peeled back the decades to reveal an emerald gem.

“The name of the property came about from spotting tiles with peacocks on them in one of the bathrooms, [which] became the PeacockRoom,” Canina said. “From there we kept going with the idea to create the nest. My husband is from Sicily and the word “noi” means “ours” in Italian, hence Noi Nest.”

In the Thai language, “noi” is considered a term of endearment that proud parents bestow upon their children. Regardless of the language, Noi Nest’s name speaks of a well-loved place in which to spend long, lovely, lazy days.

Noi Nest has cozy nooks in which to spend long, lovely and lazy days. JUSTIN CREDIBLE PHOTOS

The house that Cliff Ginter built for first owner F.H. Lougee reflects the architecture popular in the area during the Florida expansion of the late 1800s and early 1900s. The frame vernacular structure — of which Noi Nest is a good example — gained popularity as builders gained access to manufactured and standardized building materials, thanks to efficient transportation via railroad. 

Melbourne and Eau Gallie, then separate towns, were settled in the 1870s. By 1900, the population of each settlement numbered a whopping 200 residents. By the end of Florida’s 1920s land boom, Eau Gallie’s population had exploded to 1,000. Later development destroyed many of the early, sister structures of Noi Nest, making the house even more important to the county’s architectural heritage. According to records at the Brevard County Genealogy and Archives Department, the building has retained most of its architectural integrity.

When Canina and Ellison undertook the task of transforming the cottage into a vacation rental, they pursued the nest theme to the next logical level: Every room in the six-bedroom, four-bath property features playfully orchestrated avian decor. “What is more interesting is that, after I began working through the property — designing and continuing with the story — I noticed that the fireplace screen, which I believe is original, has a hummingbird sipping from a small dish,” Canina added. “It was meant to be.”

It must also have been written that Canina was to be the house’s next guardian, for she stumbled upon it on her way to look at another house. It was love at first drive-by. “I really fell in love with the historic charm of the property, as well as all of the amenities, including the pool and studios,” she said. She was heartbroken that the house was already under contract. But what was meant to be, indeed was.

“I was checking my emails, a day or two later, and noticed the home was active on the market again,” she said. “I immediately called the listing agent and, after several days of negotiating, I was able to secure the contract.”

Owner Crystal Canina and designer Brian Ellison, of Brian Ellison Designs, gave the classic bungalow a contemporary, colorful feel. JUSTIN CREDIBLE PHOTOS

The six-bedroom four-bath vacation property features a large outdoor living area complete with pool. JUSTIN CREDIBLE PHOTOS

BEWITCHED

A replica ‘vintage’ mini-fridge is one of the creature comforts in the Peacock Studio. JUSTIN CREDIBLE PHOTOS

It’s easy to see why Canina fell under the home’s spell, as well as its prime location: on a large lot across from Rossetter Park — and its graceful live oaks — and cattycorner to the historic Rossetter House. The property is a few steps away from the Eau Gallie’s art galleries, boutiques and eateries, and less than 10 minutes from the sandy shores of Indian Harbour Beach. 

While the house had been loved throughout its decades, it nevertheless lacked the luster Canina thought the place deserved. “We started from an idea to craft a story about the property, and everything flowed from there,” she said. Canina had been involved in several restoration projects in the past and is currently working on two more. Noi Nest was special, however. “The project was very different and much more artful and creative,” she said. “Being located only one block from EGAD, it was important to do something fun and whimsical with the home.”

The property consists of the main cottage, a large and well-landscaped garden, two studio suites, a private and pavered pool, a sail-covered patio for outdoor dining and a full second kitchen. It can accommodate large families, groups of friends, small corporate retreats and wedding parties. By partnering with local wedding venues, Canina has arranged a “perfect marriage” for families seeking accommodations during wedding weekends.

Like the rest of the house, the crisp white kitchen is ‘for the birds,’ with wallpaper carrying the avian theme.

The brightly-colored bathroom in the upstairs Dove Suite includes an old-fashioned clawfoot tub, and tongue-and-groove paneling. JUSTIN CREDIBLE PHOTOS

The grounds are adorned by a three-tiered fountain overflowing with succulents, a rainbow eucalyptus tree and two large mango trees that regale guests with luscious fruit during season. Guests can reserve the entire property, or opt for the main house or one of the suites. Each is unique. The Peacock Studio takes its design cue from the peacock blue tiles in its bathroom. Pink flamingo hues dominate the Flamingo Studio. Both suites are accessed via private entrances and are outfitted with retro mini-fridges that border on the adorable. 

In the main house, guests are greeted by a geometric accent wall of pink, tan and blue, anchored by identical mirrors and color-coordinated poufs. In the light-filled dining area, a large peacock table vase dominates the space. Visitors can choose from the masculine attitude of the Black Swan bedroom, or the lighter Crown Crane Room and the dreamy White Swan Room, or head upstairs to the Dove Suite — complete with reading nook, walk-in closets and vintage bath that includes a clawfoot tub and tongue-and-groove paneling. 

While Canina and Ellison updated the home for 21st-century living, they also cherished many of the house’s original features — a fact guests appreciate. “Some wanted to book the property specifically for the historic character, especially noting the clawfoot bathtub upstairs in the Dove Suite,” Canina said. 

“Our goal is to provide an unforgettable getaway.”

See more images at noinestmelbourne.com.

Continuing with the bird theme, the Flamingo Studio pays homage to a classic symbol of Florida. JUSTIN CREDIBLE PHOTOS

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