This was our second stay in the Owl's Nest. It's a beautiful small house, and really not all that small. It's like an old-fashioned one-up, one-down cottage, with plenty of room for a couple.
We stayed in late winter and early spring, and though the weather was really cold, we were very comfortable. The house is built on passive energy principles, so it stays surprisingly warm even when you aren't running the heat.
The downstairs space is efficient and cozy, an all-in-one kitchen/dining/living space. It's minimal without being austere, with beautiful maps all over the walls, a great selection of books and even LP records and a record player! Upstairs is a nice-sized bedroom and a lovely bathroom. The shower floor is made of river pebbles, which I loved underfoot. The shower pressure was brilliant and the bed was very comfortable. Little touches such as a desk and chair with work lamp are very nice.
John is a great host, and we enjoyed meeting his wife Edith as well. They are warm and hospitable people without being at all intrusive.
The little house sits in back of John and Edith's place, with a bit of wild land behind. It gives you the feeling of being almost in the country. It's also lovely that you can see the river from the upstairs.
The house is well located, just a few blocks from New Seasons -- an excellent grocery store -- and also within walking distance of the Sellwood Riverfront Park. Easy to walk to other parks, shops, restaurants and more. You can easily catch the bus to downtown and other locations if you aren't driving.
In total we stayed at John's for about three weeks, and I wish his place had been available to stay longer. Highly recommended.