Places to Stay: Gills Rock

Terra Cottages
Cottage Rd., Gills Rock, WI
Mail:  2762 Arbor Drive, No. 1102
Sister Bay, WI 54234
Phone: 920-854-7108
E-mail:cynthiataubert@yahoo.com 

Terra Cottages affords guests a pristine view of the bay of Gills Rock from creatively adorned cottages. These are original Door Peninsula cottages, lovingly preserved by long-time local families.

This location, on the tip of the Peninsula, gives you a taste of the time-honored commercial fishing trade here, while offering up easy access to the arts, shopping and nearby cafes and restaurants.

With an interest in conserving the cottages, Sophie Taubert Gehan, the owner, bought the cottages from the Teskies, the family who built them, in 2005.  Sophie gets help from her daughters, Sophia and Nina, and sister, Cindy.

“Gills Rock is beautiful.  And conservation was part of my goal. I bought this property with the purpose of maintaining the concept of cottage,” says Sophie, the daughter of a Door County native, who grew up spending summers on the Peninsula.

Sophie’s interest in conservation and the arts are evident as one tours the four cottages—they are simply numbered from one to four and sit on a one-acre parcel of land. There’s a side gravel drive (along cottage No. 4) providing space for parking.

Each cottage has two bedrooms and one bath with shower.  Also, find an open living room (with a sleeper sofa), dining area and fully equipped kitchen.   Sophie quickly lets you know that there are no telephones, television or air conditioning.

“People come here to be in a natural environment and go kayaking and boating,” she says. “Some people have been coming for 30 years.”

Over the last year, Sophie, an environmentalist and painter/ photographer as well as world traveler/resident, has added her own personal touch.

For example, she uses environmentally friendly brands of soaps and natural fabrics—all cottages have a bamboo mat over a rug in the living area and the beds are covered with pretty quilts—not country crafty kind, but the style with a light and nature-inspired look.

Find herb teas and a bowl of apples or cherries (whatever is seasonal and true to the Peninsula) in the kitchen.

Each cottage unique
Each cottage has its own earthy and arty decorating style. Cottage No. 1 for example, has a non-chimney-style fireplace in the living room. When you use it on cool Door Peninsula nights, it will crackle, give the look of flames and actually give off heat.  Sophie used it in her former New York home.

We like the floor plan of cottage No. 2; it was just slightly different than the others. The table and chairs are set just next to the window, affording you with a wonderful view of the water across the way.  This contrasts to the others, where the table and chairs and kitchen are in the rear of cottages.

And we loved seeing Sophie’s photography—check out the color photograph, taken at a Beijing, China, market. It hangs on the wall near a bedroom.

A highlight of cottage No. 3 is the stone gas fireplace. The mantelshelf is decorated with an original painting by Sophie’s father.  The painting depicts a boat, owned by the Teskies who lived in this particular cottage.

There’s a colorful painting by a Haitian artist, silk pillows on the sofa—so many nice touches to make you feel comfortable.

Next, is cottage No. 4.  It has a futon in the living area and newer table and chairs in the kitchen.  Don’t miss the photograph of snow in Normandy, France, taken by Sophie.  It hangs in a bedroom.

Inviting grounds
While the cottage interiors are lovely, the grounds may invite you to spend time outdoors.  Each cottage has a front terrace, outfitted with new iron furniture—a table with chairs and two side chairs. 

Also, find on the rear of the property a fire pit area with four benches around it (what a nice thought!) and grills available.

The cottage exteriors are freshly painted white with burgundy trim, so you can’t miss them as you proceed down Cottage Rd.  You’ll see a sign on the grounds, Terra Cottages; terra means “earth.”

“I want this to be a place that can be restorative or help people connect with family, or fish or bicycle,” Sophie says.

Well, we felt at peace following a one-hour visit and tour of the cottages.  Terra Cottages is truly a sweet place to be on the Peninsula; don’t miss the opportunity.

And please mention DoorCountyNavigator.com when you make your reservation.

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