Lynn Kaufelt

Lynn was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. A third-generation Japanese American, she attended school in Los Angeles before beginning a brief modeling career when she was sixteen. Moving to New York, she established and operated twelve JEBBA Needlepoint departments for Bonwit Teller while managing and directing her own needlepoint company, Clyde Screens.

Later, she became a graphic designer for Georges Gotlib, Inc. designing packaging and promotions for the cosmetic and fragrance industry. After five years, she went to work for Estee Lauder, becoming Design Director for Lauder’s domestic and international men’s lines.

After marrying novelist David A. Kaufelt and subsequently giving birth to their son, Jackson, the family divided their time between Manhattan, Sag Harbor, Long Island, and Key West, Florida. Eventually, when Jackson reached school age, they chose Key West as their permanent home.

Lynn became active in community organizations. Serving as president of the Key West Art and Historical Society, becoming a founding director for the Founder’s Society of the Tennessee Williams Fine Art Center, and the first executive director of the renowned Key West Literary Seminar, which she currently serves as President. She is also a member of the Monroe County Education Foundation Board of Directors.

A keen interest in historical houses (she and her husband have restored and renovated several prize-winning homes in Key West’s Old Town) led to Lynn writing the critically praised “Key West Writers and Their Houses” (Pineapple Press) which has recently been reprinted in a new edition and is considered the unequaled source on the subject.

She received her real estate license in 1988 and her broker’s license in 1991 and has been a Top Producer ever since.