At the outset, we were a little worried as this place was almost exactly what we wanted but only accepted longer-term stays (and we wanted 13 nights). Shelly and Laura, however, were very accommodating and the booking was smoothly and easily handled, even from the UK.
We arrived fairly late into the evening and the hosts had provided essential supplies to welcome us, and had even let our friend (a local who lives just around the corner) collect the keys for us. The management and service we received were first-rate throughout the entire process and I cannot fault it. Every question, concern or query was answered promptly, accurately and with the minimum of fuss. We only got to meet Laura once at the end of our stay, but she was lovely and I cannot praise her enough.
As for the property itself, the pictures accurately represent the quirky layout, I think - and it is as good as it looks. In addition to what you see here are a large garage (which just fit our rental minivan), a utility room with washer/dryer, a sizeable front deck (with a gas grill), and two communal pools to the rear, secured and privately shared among the block. We found the latter to be quiet almost every day and a real boon for the kids.
In the kitchen, there are lots of utensils, crockery, glassware, cutlery, and cooking pots of all shapes. There are the requisite huge oven, microwave, oven, hob and fridge/freezer, and every electrical gadget you could want. My favourite morning routine was grinding fresh coffee beans and filling up the machine for 4 cups to kick off my day.
The bedrooms offer ample space, with large closets and furniture. The antiques, objets d'art, and pictures that adorn walls and shelves are very tasteful, making the place feel like home rather than a temporary pied à terre.
If this is the right location for you, among museums, the zoo, parks and the medical center, don't hesitate to book. I guarantee you won't be disappointed. And don't miss the boutique shops of Rice Village, by the way - so many hidden gems.