In a quiet corner of West Bay, down a winding maze of narrow roads, stands a modest 1921 Caymanian cottage, a symbol of Cayman’s endangered yet enduring architectural heritage.

When award-winning furniture designer John Bird, owner of Martlet design, found this traditional home for sale in 2021, he saw an opportunity to restore a forgotten piece of history exactly one century after it was first built. The previous owner, recognising John’s passion for restoration, was eager to see the deteriorating home in his hands. Renowned for creating bespoke furniture from reclaimed materials, John’s approach to the restoration was driven by his appreciation for fine craftsmanship, and the importance of honouring Cayman’s heritage.

John says that old-style Caymanian cottages remind him of the traditional wooden cabins of British Columbia, where he grew up. Many of these homes were demolished as part of the region’s gentrification, and it was through salvaging wood from those razed houses that he found his passion for repurposing discarded materials into furniture, always signing each piece with the original address of the materials. Over the past 20 years in Cayman, he has developed a deep appreciation for Caymanian culture and is saddened by the island’s rapid development and the destruction of traditional homes to make way for large-scale residential communities. This restoration project reflects both his appreciation for Cayman’s history and his personal journey as a furniture maker.

When he purchased it, the West Bay home was time-worn and had succumbed to years of neglect and deterioration. But, the open-plan living space, kitchen, two bedrooms, and two bathrooms simply needed John’s vision. He skilfully blended reclaimed materials with traditional elements already present, such as Ironwood posts, wattle and daub walls, and corrugated iron roofing, all while staying true to the home’s original character. The year-long restoration process was filled with thoughtful decisions, as John sought to preserve the home’s Caymanian roots while adapting the space for modern living.

In a space under 1000 square feet, John’s design choices refute the modern definition of luxury. This small home is rich in identity, culture, craft, and passion. Standing proudly as a testament to the value of history and repurposed materials, the home is a luxurious, high-quality space with an immovable sense of self as it remains deeply rooted in its location and history.

Inside, the original wattle and daub walls of the bedrooms are preserved under drywall for insulation, and the kitchen, once a separate structure known as a ‘caboose,’ has been integrated into the open-plan living space while retaining its rustic character. Meaningful artwork adorns the walls, from family heirlooms and quintessentially Canadian pieces like First Nations masks, to local Caymanian folk art, including driftwood carvings. Furnishings, all handmade by John and his team at Martlet, add another layer of craftsmanship to the space, creating a home filled with personal history and multi-cultural significance.

The airy, organic colour scheme and sense of space afforded by the high vaulted ceiling with A-frame windows combines Caymanian and West Coast Canadian design, filling the home with natural light and linking John’s heritage to Caymanian architectural tradition.  The mahogany bedroom doors, a gift from a neighbour, came from a house demolished in the 1980s. Wood from the old Cayman airport has been repurposed for the exposed beams, and the kitchen light fixture is crafted from wood reclaimed from the original roof. Even the decking was sourced from local businesses, including Da Fish Shack and Nova, following renovations.

Naturally, the restoration of a 100-year-old home came with challenges. Termite damage required many structural elements to be replaced, and modern reinforcements, including hurricane straps, were added to meet building codes. The exterior remains largely unchanged, with detailed traditional woodwork lining the quaint front porch and the bright white walls and blue shutters supporting the home’s classic Caymanian aesthetic. The surrounding garden, filled with red birch and poinciana, and fruit trees such as mango, starfruit, and tamarind, enhances
the connection between home and land.

For John, this restoration represents more than just a personal project – it is a statement about the importance of preserving Cayman’s architectural heritage amidst rapid change. In a world increasingly defined by disposability, his home stands as a celebration of craftsmanship and ingenuity.

Every home has a story, and this West Bay cottage pays homage to the century’s worth of lives that have unfolded within its walls. As a result of his vision and his carefully considered restoration, the house now also embodies John’s own story and will stand to witness many more.