Decorah House- Airy, modern, full of natural light, 5 blocks to downtown
Apartment in Decorah, IA
3 guests · 1 bedroom · 1 bath
Reasons to book
Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Free cancellationFull refund if you change your mind
Includes essentialsKitchen or Kitchenette, Air conditioner, Internet / Wifi and more
About this apartment rental
Welcome to Decorah House, a private and beautifully renovated stay on the second floor of our historic brick house in a quiet neighborhood just five blocks from downtown Decorah. The space is bright and full of natural light and filled with plants. The apartment sleeps three, has a beautiful bathroom with tiled shower, and a lovely front living room and kitchen. Walk to Pulpit Rock Brewing Co, La Rana Bistro, Impact Coffee, Oneota Food Coop, Hotel Winneshiek, Vesterheim, Convergence Ciderworks, and so much more.
We've put six years of hard work into this amazing house and we're excited to share it with you! We're two guys in our 30s and love Decorah. Whether you're here to visit one of the breweries, trout fish, mountain bike, visit your kids at Luther, or just trying to unwind, we think you'll love everything about Decorah and the house. In addition to welcoming travelers to Decorah House, we've welcomed guests to our other overnight rental Trout River Log Cabin for the past eight years. We know what it takes to be exceptional hosts and we'll do everything we can to ensure you have a great experience.
The Decorah House stay occupies the second floor of our 1850s brick house. The apartment, including the entrance and heating and cooling systems, are completely separate from our part of the house. We've taken covid seriously from the beginning and want to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable experience.
The space is bright and full of natural light, and sits perched overlooking the Oneota Valley. The unit consists of a large living area with adjoining kitchen, a spacious bath, and large bedroom. The bedroom has a queen bed and there's a queen size blow up mattress to accommodate a third or fourth person. Paul has restored old buildings going on fifteen years. He eats, sleeps and breaths old buildings, architecture and design. We've put so much work into making the space just right, and we think you'll agree.
In the main living space you'll find two orange barrel chairs with accompanying hand made shaker style walnut end tables, a sugar maple butcher block dining table made from flooring from a local landmark school, and Persian rugs. The floors are beautiful reclaimed doug fir from a catholic priest house that was recently demolished. All the woodwork, the butcher block countertops and tables, maple cabinets, maple vanity, shaker end tables (basically everything you see) were all made by Paul in the second floor of our garage workshop. During the day Paul's a high school industrial arts teacher and teaches several furniture making, design and construction classes.
The kitchen has a high quality European brand stainless steel gas range, small refrigerator, and deep-basin stainless steel sink. The kitchen is stocked with quality cookware. We also supply organic coffee and a french press. The kitchen is pretty small, but adequate for light cooking.
The bedroom is spacious and overlooks the forested bluffs of the Oneota Valley. And to boot there's a spectacular 200 year old bur oak tree that sits right outside the bedroom windows. The bedroom has a firm queen bed, a reading area, and clothes closet. A third or fourth person can be accommodated on a queen size blow up air mattress. Linens and bedding are provided.
The spacious bath has a floor to ceiling subway tile shower. The bathroom flooring is Marmoleum, a traditional petroleum free, linseed oil-based linoleum invented in Britain in the early 1850s that's made to look like marble. The hand made vanity is sugar maple with a white oak butcher block top. Bath towels, Nature's Gate shampoo, conditioner and body wash are provided.
The house was built in the early 1850s by Decorah's original founding family, the Days from upstate New York. When their son Claiborne built the house a few years later, the village of Decorah wasn't more than a few log houses and a saw mill. Claiborne was the entrepreneurial type, serving as Decorah's first postmaster. He also owned a lumberyard and built several houses around town. Today it survives as one of the few remaining structures of the period. Ever since Paul was a little kid he's had his eye on this house. And when it came available, we jumped at the opportunity to buy and restore it. Of all the buildings representative of Decorah's early settlement period that remain standing, this house is probably the most intact and best preserved. It's an incredible piece of local history.
You'll have access to the entire second floor of the house accessed through a separate entrance. Once inside the entryway, the staircase takes you up to the apartment. We live downstairs and our unit is accessed through a separate entrance on the side porch.
We have a friendly dog Mabel and a kitty Ethelbert. Both have never been upstairs, but note that we live downstairs. The unit is heated and cooled with a ductless heat pump, so the air between upstairs and down is separate and doesn’t mix.
We've put six years of hard work into this amazing house and we're excited to share it with you! We're two guys in our 30s and love Decorah. Whether you're here to visit one of the breweries, trout fish, mountain bike, visit your kids at Luther, or just trying to unwind, we think you'll love everything about Decorah and the house. In addition to welcoming travelers to Decorah House, we've welcomed guests to our other overnight rental Trout River Log Cabin for the past eight years. We know what it takes to be exceptional hosts and we'll do everything we can to ensure you have a great experience.
The Decorah House stay occupies the second floor of our 1850s brick house. The apartment, including the entrance and heating and cooling systems, are completely separate from our part of the house. We've taken covid seriously from the beginning and want to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable experience.
The space is bright and full of natural light, and sits perched overlooking the Oneota Valley. The unit consists of a large living area with adjoining kitchen, a spacious bath, and large bedroom. The bedroom has a queen bed and there's a queen size blow up mattress to accommodate a third or fourth person. Paul has restored old buildings going on fifteen years. He eats, sleeps and breaths old buildings, architecture and design. We've put so much work into making the space just right, and we think you'll agree.
In the main living space you'll find two orange barrel chairs with accompanying hand made shaker style walnut end tables, a sugar maple butcher block dining table made from flooring from a local landmark school, and Persian rugs. The floors are beautiful reclaimed doug fir from a catholic priest house that was recently demolished. All the woodwork, the butcher block countertops and tables, maple cabinets, maple vanity, shaker end tables (basically everything you see) were all made by Paul in the second floor of our garage workshop. During the day Paul's a high school industrial arts teacher and teaches several furniture making, design and construction classes.
The kitchen has a high quality European brand stainless steel gas range, small refrigerator, and deep-basin stainless steel sink. The kitchen is stocked with quality cookware. We also supply organic coffee and a french press. The kitchen is pretty small, but adequate for light cooking.
The bedroom is spacious and overlooks the forested bluffs of the Oneota Valley. And to boot there's a spectacular 200 year old bur oak tree that sits right outside the bedroom windows. The bedroom has a firm queen bed, a reading area, and clothes closet. A third or fourth person can be accommodated on a queen size blow up air mattress. Linens and bedding are provided.
The spacious bath has a floor to ceiling subway tile shower. The bathroom flooring is Marmoleum, a traditional petroleum free, linseed oil-based linoleum invented in Britain in the early 1850s that's made to look like marble. The hand made vanity is sugar maple with a white oak butcher block top. Bath towels, Nature's Gate shampoo, conditioner and body wash are provided.
The house was built in the early 1850s by Decorah's original founding family, the Days from upstate New York. When their son Claiborne built the house a few years later, the village of Decorah wasn't more than a few log houses and a saw mill. Claiborne was the entrepreneurial type, serving as Decorah's first postmaster. He also owned a lumberyard and built several houses around town. Today it survives as one of the few remaining structures of the period. Ever since Paul was a little kid he's had his eye on this house. And when it came available, we jumped at the opportunity to buy and restore it. Of all the buildings representative of Decorah's early settlement period that remain standing, this house is probably the most intact and best preserved. It's an incredible piece of local history.
You'll have access to the entire second floor of the house accessed through a separate entrance. Once inside the entryway, the staircase takes you up to the apartment. We live downstairs and our unit is accessed through a separate entrance on the side porch.
We have a friendly dog Mabel and a kitty Ethelbert. Both have never been upstairs, but note that we live downstairs. The unit is heated and cooled with a ductless heat pump, so the air between upstairs and down is separate and doesn’t mix.
Amenities
Air conditioner
Kitchen or Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Parking
Map of Decorah, IA
££££
Ratings and reviews
10.0 / 10.0
The location is quiet and close to where I needed to be. It was neat and clean too. I enjoyed seeing the pictures of the remodel!
10.0 / 10.0
Great place and fantastic location, can walk to downtown in 10 min or so. Place has everything you need for a great stay!
10.0 / 10.0
This place was great!
10.0 / 10.0
Cute apartment in lovely Decorah. The location is excellent and the hosts were very clear in their communications. The only surprise was that there is no TV! (Had counted on watching the football game on Thanksgiving Eve since nothing was open in town). Luckily I had my tablet with, but a clearer mention of that would have been appreciated.
10.0 / 10.0
Visited Decorah for my sons college soccer game. House is a great location, super comfy bed, and the town and area is really awesome. Thanks
10.0 / 10.0
Had a very enjoyable parents weekend thanks in part to our stay at the Decorah House.
Great mix of old charm and modern touches. The kitchen was minimalistic, French press instead of coffee maker or Keurig. Small but adequate fridge. We were able to cook some favorite mexican dishes. No TV, but wasn’t an issue as we mostly hung out and played cards. Comfortable bed. Towels were coarse, assume they were line dried. Shower was nice.
Hope to make this an annual tradition.
10.0 / 10.0
A great stay in a great property. Everything was as noted in listing. Wonderful quiet location. Everything in perfect condition. Felt like home. Will definitely stay here again. Thank you.
10.0 / 10.0
3 quick nights, but excellent little property. Comfortable. Gorgeous historic restoration!
10.0 / 10.0
My son and I stayed here while dropping him off at college. Everything in the home was very comfortable and communication with the owners was superb. The location is also in a wonderful place, as everything in town and the college were no further than a couple miles, with downtown eating and stores within walking distance.
10.0 / 10.0
large and open. fun book selection, lovely view and super comfy bed.
10.0 / 10.0
We loved the attention to detail and location of this property. We found everything we needed stocked in this home. Very clean and great communication from hosts. Walking distance to downtown and all the Nordic fest activities. Loved the fresh flowers and succulents!
10.0 / 10.0
The property was super clean and cute. It’s a very roomy and comfortable space. It is in a good location. We enjoyed walking to the downtown area. We would definitely like to stay here again.
10.0 / 10.0
This is a wonderful place to stay for comfort and inspiration. The house is beautiful in all ways. Loved it.
10.0 / 10.0
Very clean & conveniently located
10.0 / 10.0
We enjoyed our stay. The property was clean and well kept and the owner communicated with us. It is in a very quiet location with good off street parking.
10.0 / 10.0
We were looking for a historic home that was walking distance to restaurants and activities. This home was beautifully remodeled and perfect for our needs
10.0 / 10.0
The place was beautiful. Your hard work shoes. Thx you for your promptness with answering questions.
10.0 / 10.0
This was the perfect location for a couple's getaway weekend. I was amazed to discover the apartment was every bit as beautiful as the photos made it out to be! Our goal was to explore both the fun downtown area within and the abundant nature surrounding Decorah, and this was the perfect place for both. It's an easy walk to the main Decorah drag from here, and you can also walk to several hiking trailheads as well (or a quick drive, if you prefer). We happened to be there at the same time the county fair was going on, and our hosts apologized for the extra noise, but to be honest we hardly noticed it despite only being a block from the fairgrounds.
10.0 / 10.0
Great location una quiet setting
The rental was perfect for our weekend getaway. Beautiful floors and wonderful charm throughout the apartment. Easy walk to all the restaurants, bars, and coffee shops in downtown Decorah. Thanks for letting us stay at your unique apartment!
10.0 / 10.0
Great stay!
Well situated within the community. Beautifully restored.
10.0 / 10.0
Great stay
Very very clean ..comfy bed..nice selection of teas..tasty coffee..nice and close to the down town area . Did a great job in up dating the house...
10.0 / 10.0
Nice get away
Nice get away
10.0 / 10.0
Great history
Loved the touches with pieces of history, furniture pieces, and charm!
10.0 / 10.0
Charming Simplicity
We escaped to Decorah to enjoy the simple pleasure of a small town feel. The "Decorah House" only added to our experience.
10.0 / 10.0
Definitely recommend
A very charming space. Perfect for our Decorah weekend getaway.
10.0 / 10.0
Lovely Space—Close to Town
We stayed in this quiet neighborhood with a 10 minute walk to town for the Nordic Fest. Our spacious apartment was so cute, so clean and perfect for us!
10.0 / 10.0
Clean, Quiet Oasis
This is a nice spot to rest and recharge while enjoying the attractions around Decorah. Everything was clean and well-kept. There is no TV, but that is part of the attraction and simplicity of this place.
If could make one recommendation for the owners it would be to add a privacy shade (or curtain) in the bathroom as the current window treatment would not prevent someone from seeing inside at night when the light is on.
10.0 / 10.0
Beautiful all around
We enjoyed our restful stay here sans kids. It was very nice to just hang out in a clean and serene place. I LOVED the vintage/mid-century decor. Thank you!
10.0 / 10.0
Comfortable light filled oasis
Meticulously restored historic home. Very comfortable accommodations with a well appointed kitchenette. Chickens roam their chicken run and succulents dot the window sills. All in all simply charming. Easy access to downtown, the Trout run bike trail and the scenic by-ways.
10.0 / 10.0
Great place
Enjoyed the stay. Provided us everything we hoped for and more.
10.0 / 10.0
Gorgeous Place!
My parents stayed here on in overnight visit and they were so impressed with the quality of design and construction, as well as how spotless the place was for them. You can't go wrong staying here!
10.0 / 10.0
Great Place
Place was beautiful. Thoroughly enjoyed our experience.
10.0 / 10.0
Decorah vacation
This was a very nice property. We lived the historical history of the property. We did have the opportunity to meet the owners and they were very pleasant.
10.0 / 10.0
Quaint and Quiet
My husband and I enjoyed staying in this lovely property. Very clean and well appointed. Beautiful old house restored very well.
Kitchen is small so don’t plan to put too much in the fridge (mini).
My husband didn’t love that there was not a TV but it was nice to have the quiet.
Owners are great and are there to help!
Would highly recommend!!
10.0 / 10.0
Lovely home, great location
Super clean, beautifully decorated, impeccably restored home. Walking distance to downtown. Super friendly, knowledgeable hosts. Highly recommend! Thank you!
10.0 / 10.0
Great stay
Highly recommend.
10.0 / 10.0
Our Stay
We had a great time in Decorah! The apartment was perfect for our stay :-)
10.0 / 10.0
Very cute place!!
It worked perfect for our needs although the winter storm didn’t help the parking situation there but can’t do much about that. It was an enjoyable stay! Thank you!!
10.0 / 10.0
Bright, warm and immaculate!
Thanks for a great stay!
10.0 / 10.0
Lovely, well appointed, historic apt. Nathan& Paul are great hosts too!
Immaculately restored home in Decorah, oldest home in Decorah! There is a notebook of pictures of the renovation, what a process and love for preservation of the past! Quiet neighborhood, again, gotta see it and share in the beauty!
FAQs
How much does this apartment cost compared to others in Decorah?
The average price for a rental in Decorah is £123 per night. This rental is £14 less expensive than the average.
Is parking included with this apartment?
Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at Decorah House- Airy, modern, full of natural light, 5 blocks to downtown. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this apartment?
We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this apartment. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.
Is Decorah House- Airy, modern, full of natural light, 5 blocks to downtown pet friendly?
Unfortunately, this apartment is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"
What amenities are available at Decorah House- Airy, modern, full of natural light, 5 blocks to downtown?
We found 4 amenities for this rental. This includes air conditioner, kitchen or kitchenette, internet / wifi, and parking.