Cottage #2 - Preliminary Plan

Hello Cottage Friends,

Please forgive me for being MIA the last thirteen days.  There's so much going on here at AJC. The first week of July I volunteered my time for our local A21 yard sale fund raiser. Are you familiar with A21 (Abolishing Injustice in the 21st Century)?   If not, I invite you to learn more about how A21 is fighting human trafficking around the world. 

Last week Captain and I worked on a whole new design for our cottage. I know, I know -- yet another plan?  Yes.  And I'm anxious to show it to you.  However, I first want to share Cottage 2 and 3 plans, as promised.

  

Today we'll look at Cottage #2. 

Cottage #2

Exterior Elevations

This is a 864 SF single level, two bedroom, one bath cottage.   We retained the  scalloped shingles on the gables, removed one window to the left of the door and added a window on the right.  We kept the front door overhang from Cottage #1, but removed the scalloped shingle feature.

The East elevation is quite changed, with a door into the kitchen and a portico on the left, and a second door with overhang on the right which enters the utility room.  More scalloped shingles appear on those features.

This is the back of the cottage.  

And the unremarkable west side.

The eat-in kitchen is open to the living room, with the front door opening into a natural traffic area between the two spaces that extends to the hallway.   The master bedroom suite has his and her walk-in closets. The bath is accessible from the hallway, as well, to serve as a guest bath. Bedroom 2 is my office. The utility room houses the laundry, a coat closet, and a clean-up sink for Captain.  A french door closes off this area from the rest of the cottage and affords a small desk space for Captain.  His studio is in a separate structure.

The Kitchen

This drawing of the kitchen's east wall shows the entry door on the left and base cabinets with a farm sink to the right.  Windows span the counters, allowing lots of natural light to flow into the room.  No upper cabinets here. The refrigerator is built-in to the far right, with an open shelf above.

http://www.kitchen-design-ideas.org/pictures-of-kitchens-traditional-white

This photo gives you an idea of the windows and refrigerator placement.  Imagine the cabinet with a farm sink and an entry door to the left of the window where the upper cabinet and bank of drawers is.

This is the same hutch from the first cottage plan.

Remember this inspiration photo from Cottage #1?

Across from the hutch, on the south wall, is space for a large free-standing furniture piece.  

Old World Dublin Hutch China Cabinet -  Coach Barn on Ebay

Something like this perhaps?  Except in my price range. :)

To its left is an 18x52 window.  

In the middle of the kitchen is the dining table.

BHG - 30 Great Kitchen Design Ideas

I love this look for an eat-in kitchen.  Of course the kitchen in our plan is about half this size. 

We changed the fireplace to a gas stove with a pine mantel and stone or tile on the back and hearth.

We put this plan out to the same two contractors for bids, specifying  hardwood floors throughout, except for the bedrooms which were to be carpeted.


What I like about this plan:

• Small, cozy cottage
• Scallop shingles
• Portico over kitchen door
• Interesting fireplace feature
• Windows over kitchen sink
• Additional window in kitchen
• Look of free-standing kitchen
• Kitchen door could be a full french door leading to a cottage or kitchen garden
• Hardwood floors throughout most of home
• His and hers closets in the master suite
• My study overlooks the garden area

What I don't like about this plan:

• The front door opens into the living space 
• Captain has no real work space in the cottage
• Fewer windows in the living room

Preliminary bids put this home within our reach financially. However, we put this plan on hold and decided to explore another alternative that might give us more square footage for the same or less cost.

In my next post I'll share what we discovered with Cottage #3.  

Thanks for dropping by.  I'd love to know what you think of this cottage design.

I'm sharing at these lovely parties:

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

You're Gonna Love it Tuesday at Kathe with an E

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life
Share Your Cup Thursday at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage