The Gem Cottage

Carefully-cultivated guesthouse set behind a converted Texaco station/artist studio on the western end of town. Designed by the artist-owner, this beautifully repurposed industrial space offers a highly refined take on the Marfa casita experience. Open-plan interior creates luxurious, sumptuous sense of space and light. Elegant living areas combine industrial elements with artworks, antiques and stylish furnishings. Large private yard. Wonderfully suited for long-term stays. The space The Gem is a fully private, 890-square foot guesthouse set on the grounds of a larger residential compound. Hosts (often) occupy the front gas station, which has been converted into an artist studio and residence, but guests have complete privacy and near-exclusive reign over the backyard and outdoor terraces. The metal building was beautifully restored by the resident artist/owner, who employed sustainable building practices throughout the renovation. The open plan interior layout along with cathedral ceilings creates long, clean sight lines and beautiful light. Upon entrance on the eastern side, the structure's impressive length unfolds, uninterrupted, seamlessly transitioning through the different living areas. Feels expansive yet also protected and enveloped in soft natural light, which flows in primarily through upper-level skylights. Tastefully-appointed with custom-built furnishings made from gorgeously distressed reclaimed oak and metal, handsome antiques and tufted salon-style sofas. The latter elements lend a slightly gilded, "Haute Bohemian" layer to the pared-back modern/industrial foundation. Also thoughtful selection of original paintings, films, art books and other reading materials. Everything feels luxurious, inviting and harmoniously integrated. The whole place exudes understated luxury and elegance. Designated sleeping area at one of the building contains one Queen bed with a handcrafted cedar bed-frame and side tables. There's also one smaller sleeper sofa situated at the other end of the building, which folds out into a twin bed. Curtains provide partial privacy between the two areas so we can accommodate certain groups of three (parents traveling with a younger child, or a friend accompanying a couple) provided one traveler is comfortable with a twin-sized setup. A variety of outdoor terraces and gardens provide serene settings for soaking in the sun, stargazing, communing with local hummingbirds (or the occasional lizard or roadrunner) or taking in one of those sublime West Texas sunsets. Overall, a luxe, transportive sanctuary for elevated and artful living. Ideal long-term retreat as you'll want to linger and luxuriate once inside! *High speed wireless Internet capable of meeting any and all remote working demands. *Newly-installed high-quality HVAC system *Sleek, streamlined kitchen fully equipped with LG refrigerator and dishwsher and sleek Bertozzoni stove. Dining/living area features elegant French clawfoot table, cathedral ceiling and soft bamboo flooring. Positively glows with light at certain times of day. *Conveniently located on the western end of downtown Marfa. Feels relaxed and slightly removed from the central downtown activity yet everything is easily accessible and just a few minutes' walk away. Guest access Hosts live part-time in the roadside Texaco station, which is also a working artist studio. Guests are given full privacy, though, and near exclusive reign over the backyard and its various outdoor terraces. (From time to time, we'll step out into the yard to water the plants/perform general maintenance but we try to keep a very low profile during your stay.) Both parties use the front u-shaped driveway but guests have a designated (private) parking area and entranceway along the eastern side. If we're in Marfa during your stay, one of is usually situated inside the front studio so feel free to come through and say hello! (When hosts are out of town, the studio space remains locked.) Other things to note *We believe Far West Texas best reveals itself with time and, thus, offer fairly substantial discounts for longer-term stays. If you're considering such a stay, please message us to discuss pricing and potential offers. *We're typically set up (and ideally suited) for couples and solo travelers. Please inform us beforehand if you'd like the extra (twin) sofa bed prepared for your arrival. *There's a designated, fully private parking area and entranceway for guests along the eastern side of the property. Please park along the eastern side of the front u-shaped driveway (before the "Guest Parking Only" sign) and use this side to access the casita. When hosts are in residence, they park along the western end of the front drive but stay clear of the guest entrance. *There's no check-in procedure and we'll leave the casita doors unlocked for your arrival so feel free to head down and let yourselves in any time after 3 PM. Please leave both doors unlocked on your day of departure. Thank you!!